Effect of silicon on morpho-physiological attributes, yield and cadmium accumulation in two maize genotypes with contrasting root system size and health risk assessment

Abstract Background and aims Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a serious threat to plants humans. Silicon (Si) was reported have some alleviative effects on Cd stress in plants. However, whether Si alleviates toxicity maize genotypes with contrasting root system size are unknown. Methods Effects of application (200 mg kg ?1 soil) shoot growth, uptake transportation under (20 were assessed at the silking maturity stages Zhongke11 (deep-rooted) Shengrui999 (shallow-rooted) pot experiment. Results Application significantly increased dry weight, plant height length. Root volume average diameter positively correlated concentration, bioaccumulation translocation factor, respectively, two stage. Addition content, bioconcentration factor roots Zhongke11, but reduced values these parameters Shengrui9999 both growth stages. Grain concentration combined treatment decreased by 14.4% (Zhongke11) 21.4% (Shengrui999) than that treatment. yield negatively accumulation. Moreover, addition daily intake health risk index maize. Conclusions This study demonstrated eliminating accumulation grain, alleviated more profound shallow-rooted genotype Shengrui999.