Effects of Rhizobacteria on the Tolerance, Uptake and Speciation of Arsenic and Mercury in Rice

Objectives 1.Investigate the effects of isolated As- and Hg-tolerant rhizobacteria on rice growth and their plant growth promoting mechanisms; 2.Examine the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on As and Hg uptake, accumulation and speciation in rice; 3.Investigate the effects of Fe-oxidising bacteria (FeOB) on Fe plaque formation in rice roots and accumulation of As and Hg in rice; and 4.Explore the feasibility of combing rhizobacteria (PGPR and FeOB) to enhance the As and Hg tolerance of rice and reduce As and Hg accumulation in rice grains.

Funding Source: RGC - Early Career Scheme (ECS)