Effects of sulfur supply on cadmium transfer and concentration in rice at different growth stages exposed to sulfur-deficient but highly cadmium-contaminated soil

Abstract Background Sulfur (S) has been widely used to alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity and control Cd accumulation in rice under waterlogging conditions. However, the results are contradictory, reasons remain unclear. This could be because most studies rarely simultaneously monitor processes of S-induced soil bioavailability throughout its growth period. A pot experiment was conducted investigate influence two sulfur levels (0, 30 mg S kg −1 ) on concentration translocation at three stages (booting, filling maturity) Paddy deficient but contaminated with (10.16 for experiment. Results application increased concentrations grain stage partially induced promotion transfer from roots stems, leaves, grains, fixation iron plaques stage. significantly reduced brown maturity stage, which attributed aspects, as described below. First, supply availability plaque root surface by reducing dissolved pore water transferring roots. Second, inhibited other tissues based factors roots, husks rice, were obviously lower than without Third, dilution biomass 215%. Conclusions decline related S-regulated among plants, a decrease S-deficient Cd-contaminated paddy study provides valuable information growing low-S risk humans. Graphical abstract