Determine the effect of mercury on the growth of rice plants

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 103 views

Fast Test of Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L.) Mercury Tolerant as a Genetic Source of Mercury Tolerant Rice Assembly in Madina Regency

Introduction

The high level of mercury in waste comes from unofficial gold mining activities in Mandailing Natal Regency, causing rice plants planted in contaminated rice fields through irrigation that use ground water containing heavy metals. This contamination does not only affect the environment, but is also very dangerous for human health. Mercury pollution in agricultural environments, especially in rice-producing regions, can affect agricultural productivity and food quality. Therefore, it is essential to develop mercury-tolerant rice varieties that can thrive in contaminated soil and provide safe food for consumers.

Background

Rice is a staple food for millions of people worldwide, and its production is crucial for food security. However, the increasing levels of mercury in rice fields due to gold mining activities pose a significant threat to rice production and human health. Mercury contamination in rice fields can lead to the accumulation of mercury in rice plants, which can be harmful to humans if consumed. Therefore, it is essential to develop mercury-tolerant rice varieties that can tolerate high levels of mercury and provide safe food for consumers.

Research Objectives

The main objectives of this study were to:

Determine the effect of mercury on the growth of rice plants.
Evaluate differences in tolerance between varieties of mercury stress.
Determine the interaction between varieties and mercury in the initial vegetative growth phase.

Methodology

The study was conducted at the Green House, Plant Disease Laboratory, and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, from July 2023 to May 2024. The methodology used was a random design of factorial blocks with two factors. The first factor consists of eight rice varieties, while the second factor involves mercury doses which include M0 (control) and M1 (1 ppm of mercury).

Results

The results showed that the treatment of varieties made a significant difference in plant height parameters and Hg levels in the roots of rice plants. In addition, the treatment of mercury doses also has a significant effect on the length of the roots and Hg levels in the leaves of rice plants. However, there is no interaction between varieties and mercury doses in all observed parameters.

Discussion

From this study, it was found that the Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties showed the nature of tolerant of mercury based on agromorphological and DNA analysis. This is important because the tolerant rice varieties of mercury can be used as a genetic source in the development of superior rice varieties and resistant to heavy metal contamination.

Research Analysis and Implications

Mercury pollution in agricultural environments, especially in rice-producing regions, can affect agricultural productivity and food quality. The use of mercury-tolerant rice varieties can not only increase agricultural output but also provide solutions to health problems caused by contaminated rice consumption. Varieties that are proven tolerant, such as Sigupai and Chakra Buana, can be the main focus in the program to improve rice varieties in mercury-prone areas.

It is essential to conduct counseling to farmers about the importance of choosing the right rice varieties and good ways of land management to minimize the impact of pollution. Further research is also needed to understand the mechanism of mercury tolerance in these varieties, as well as exploring the possibility of developing new varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.

Conclusion

This research not only contributes to agricultural science and technology but also has a positive impact on environmental sustainability and public health in Mandailing Natal Regency. Through joint efforts, it is expected that the rice produced is not only high quality but also safe for consumption.

Recommendation

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of mercury tolerance in Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties.
Exploring the possibility of developing new varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.
Conducting counseling to farmers about the importance of choosing the right rice varieties and good ways of land management to minimize the impact of pollution.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Developing new mercury-tolerant rice varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.
Conducting field trials to evaluate the performance of mercury-tolerant rice varieties in different environments.
Investigating the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.

Limitations of the Study

The study has some limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results may not be applicable to field conditions.
The study only evaluated the tolerance of Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties to mercury, and other varieties may also be tolerant.
The study did not investigate the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has contributed to the development of mercury-tolerant rice varieties that can thrive in contaminated soil and provide safe food for consumers. The study has also highlighted the importance of further research to understand the mechanism of mercury tolerance in these varieties and to explore the possibility of developing new varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fast Test of Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L.) Mercury Tolerant as a Genetic Source of Mercury Tolerant Rice Assembly in Madina Regency

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of mercury on the growth of rice plants, evaluate differences in tolerance between varieties of mercury stress, and determine the interaction between varieties and mercury in the initial vegetative growth phase.

Q: What are the potential risks of mercury contamination in rice fields?

A: Mercury contamination in rice fields can lead to the accumulation of mercury in rice plants, which can be harmful to humans if consumed. Mercury pollution in agricultural environments, especially in rice-producing regions, can affect agricultural productivity and food quality.

Q: What are the benefits of developing mercury-tolerant rice varieties?

A: The use of mercury-tolerant rice varieties can not only increase agricultural output but also provide solutions to health problems caused by contaminated rice consumption. Varieties that are proven tolerant, such as Sigupai and Chakra Buana, can be the main focus in the program to improve rice varieties in mercury-prone areas.

Q: How can farmers minimize the impact of pollution in rice fields?

A: Farmers can minimize the impact of pollution in rice fields by choosing the right rice varieties and practicing good ways of land management. Counseling to farmers about the importance of choosing the right rice varieties and good ways of land management to minimize the impact of pollution is essential.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has some limitations, including the study was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results may not be applicable to field conditions. The study only evaluated the tolerance of Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties to mercury, and other varieties may also be tolerant. The study did not investigate the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include developing new mercury-tolerant rice varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques, conducting field trials to evaluate the performance of mercury-tolerant rice varieties in different environments, and investigating the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: This research not only contributes to agricultural science and technology but also has a positive impact on environmental sustainability and public health in Mandailing Natal Regency. Through joint efforts, it is expected that the rice produced is not only high quality but also safe for consumption.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of mercury tolerance in Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties.
Exploring the possibility of developing new varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.
Conducting counseling to farmers about the importance of choosing the right rice varieties and good ways of land management to minimize the impact of pollution.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include:

Developing new mercury-tolerant rice varieties through genetic engineering or engineering techniques.
Conducting field trials to evaluate the performance of mercury-tolerant rice varieties in different environments.
Investigating the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this study?

A: The potential benefits of this study include:

Increasing agricultural output.
Providing solutions to health problems caused by contaminated rice consumption.
Improving rice varieties in mercury-prone areas.

Q: What are the potential risks of this study?

A: The potential risks of this study include:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results may not be applicable to field conditions.
The study only evaluated the tolerance of Sigupai and Chakra Buana varieties to mercury, and other varieties may also be tolerant.
The study did not investigate the possibility of using mercury-tolerant rice varieties as a genetic source for developing other crops that are tolerant to heavy metal contamination.