Foliar Spraying of Silica Nanoparticles Outperforms Its Soil Amendment in Reducing Grain Arsenic via Facilitated Rhizosphere Microbial As(V) Reduction and Enhanced Arsenic Retention by Stem/Nodes

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar silica nanoparticles in reducing grain arsenic levels in rice through enhanced microbial As(V) reduction.
• Administered silica nanoparticles as a foliar spray and as a soil amendment.
• Evaluated grain arsenic levels and microbial activity related to As(V) reduction.
• Conducted analysis of arsenic sequestration in stems and nodes.
• Foliar application led to significantly lower grain arsenic levels compared to soil amendment.
• Enhanced microbial activity in the rhizosphere was observed, promoting As(V) reduction.
• Arsenic retention was markedly increased in the stems/nodes of treated plants.