[Research] Rice Cultivation in Contaminated Soil 🔬

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🌾 Cadmium is a highly toxic metal element that can be absorbed into soil from industrial emissions and waste disposal. It is also the causative agent of Itai-itai disease and remains a global environmental problem.

🌱 Through extensive research, Prof. Ma Jianfeng at Okayama University has discovered a gene that reduces cadmium uptake and prevents its accumulation in rice. By introducing this gene, rice grown in soil slightly contaminated with cadmium can be safe for consumption.

🍚 Originally from China, Prof. Ma graduated from Kyoto University Graduate School and worked as a researcher at a private company before becoming a professor at Okayama University 17 years ago. He has been specialized in plant nutrition and will continue to conduct research to ensure the stable production of safe crops.

🌿 “Plants possess extremely sophisticated mechanisms. In fact, there are still many mysteries surrounding them. I would like to uncover these mysteries one by one”, said Prof. Ma.

*Source: OHK Okayama