Crops ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 143-151.doi: 10.16035/j.issn.1001-7283.2026.01.018

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Effects of Chromium Stress on Physiological Traits and Morphological Characteristics of Rice Leaves

Liu Qing1(), Sun Luhong2, Gao Shiwei1, Liu Yuqiang1, Chang Huilin1, Ma Cheng1, Wang Jingze1, Wang Cuiling3, Nie Shoujun1()   

  1. 1Suihua Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Suihua 152000, Heilongjiang, China
    2Quality and Nutrition Inspection and Testing Centre for Rice and Processed Products (Huachuan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiamusi 154000, Heilongjiang, China
    3Quality and Safety Institute of Agricultural Products, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang, China
  • Received:2024-09-12 Revised:2024-11-09 Online:2026-02-15 Published:2026-02-10

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Abstract:

Using two rice varieties, Suijing 309 (SJ309) and Longqingdao 31 (LQD31), as experimental materials, the effects of chromium (Cr) stress on the physiological traits and morphological characteristics of rice leaves were investigated. The results showed that Cr was primarily enriched in the roots of rice, and SJ309 was more effective than LQD31 in reducing the absorption and translocation of Cr. Under high-concentration Cr stress (100 μmol/L), the physiological characteristics such as stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, and photosynthetic pigments decreased in both varieties, while leaf vapor pressure deficit, intercellular CO2 concentration, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased. After Cr stress treatment, only LQD31 exhibited an increase in the stomatal area of guard cells and closure of the stomatal aperture, whereas no significant changes were observed in SJ309. Compared with SJ309, the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) in LQD31 increased significantly, leading to the overexpression of NCED1 and NCED2 genes involved in the regulation of stomatal aperture, which indicated that LQD31 was more sensitive to Cr stress. Furthermore, Cr stress significantly increased the density and length of non-glandular trichomes in SJ309, suggesting its ability to withstand UV damage and various environmental stresses. In summary, SJ309 demonstrates superior tolerance to Cr stress, and its hyperaccumulation characteristics can be utilized for the phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated soils.

Key words: Chromium stress, Rice, Physiological characteristics, Leaf, Morphological characteristics

Table 1

Information of the primers for qRT-PCR"

编号Code 基因Gene 正向引物Forward primer (5′→3′) 反向引物Reverse primer (3′→5′)
1 NCED1 GCTCGGTCACTCACTCACTC GCGTTCTTCTTCCTGCCATAG
2 NCED2 CATGCTCCACTCCCTTCTCA GAAGCCAGCGAAGAAGTTTGG

Table 2

Effects of different chromium stress levels on Cr6+ content in roots and leaves of rice varieties mg/g"

品种Variety 处理Treatment 根Root 叶Leaf
SJ309 CK 0.000±0.000e 0.000±0.000e
Cr25 0.238±0.003d 0.012±0.001d
Cr50 0.337±0.006c 0.013±0.004d
Cr100 0.452±0.009b 0.017±0.003c
LQD31 CK 0.000±0.000e 0.000±0.000e
Cr25 0.255±0.004d 0.023±0.002b
Cr50 0.346±0.005c 0.025±0.003b
Cr100 0.550±0.011a 0.034±0.005a

Fig.1

Effects of different chromium stress levels on seedling growth index of rice varieties “***”indicates extremely significant difference among treatments at P < 0.001 level, the same below."

Fig.2

Effects of chromium stress on photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and physiological traits of different rice varieties “**”indicates extremely significant difference among treatments (P < 0.01), the same below."

Fig.3

Effects of chromium stress on leaf stomatal morphology of different rice varieties"

Fig.4

Effects of chromium stress on leaf trichome morphology of different rice varieties"

Fig.5

Effects of chromium stress on photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzyme activities in different rice varieties"

Fig.6

Effects of chromium stress on regulation and expression of plant hormones in different rice varieties"

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