Abstract

Arsenic is a potential contaminant of groundwater as well as soil in many parts of the world. Elevated soil arsenic levels resulting from long term use of arsenic contaminated groundwater for irrigation may inhibit seed germination and seedling establishment of rice, the country's main food crop. A study was conducted to evaluate rice germplasm for their phytate phosphorus, total phosphorus and arsenic content in grain and their correlation. Results revealed that the genotypes varied with their accumulation of phytate P, total P and arsenic content in grain. Results also showed that arsenic concentration of grains bore strong and negative association with total P concentration of grain. Phytate P appeared to have no bearing with arsenic concentration of grains of the genotypes.