Mitigating cadmium accumulation in rice without compromising growth via modifying the regulatory region of OsNRAMP5.

Cadmium (Cd) intake poses a significant health risk to humans, and the contamination of rice grains with Cd is a major concern in regions where rice is a staple food. Although the knockout of OsNRAMP5, which encodes a key transporter responsible for Cd and manganese (Mn) uptake, can significantly reduce Cd accumulation in rice grains, recent studies have revealed that this knockout adversely affects plant growth, grain yield, and increases vulnerability to abiotic and biotic stresses due to reduced Mn accumulation. In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 technology to modify the regulatory region of OsNRAMP5 with the aim of reducing Cd accumulation in rice grains.

Natural variation in the promoter of OsHMA3 contributes to differential grain cadmium accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice.

Rice is a major source of cadmium (Cd) intake for Asian people. Indica rice usually accumulates more Cd in shoots and grains than Japonica rice. However, underlying genetic bases for differential Cd accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice are still unknown.