Main Controlling Factors and Empirical Models for Total Mercury and Methylmercury Accumulation in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

It has been reported that rice consumption is the main mercury (Hg) exposure pathway for humans, and soil properties could significantly affect the methylation and accumulation process of Hg in soil-rice system. In this study, 19 paddy soil with various properties were spiked with exogenous Hg(II) at three concentration levels to conduct a pot experiment after a 60-days aging period. Stepwise multiple linear regression was applied to determine the controlling soil factors and develop prediction models for the methylmercury (MeHg) concentration in soil and total Hg (THg) and MeHg in brown rice. The results showed that THg in brown rice was positively correlated with THg in soil, while it had a negative correlation with soil pH and clay content. Soil organic matter (OM) promoted Hg methylation and inhibited the accumulation of MeHg in brown rice. Soil pH and clay content were negative factors when soil MeHg was used to predict MeHg in brown rice. THg and MeHg in brown rice could be well predicted by soil THg, pH and clay content. These results may provide a theoretical basis for safe production of rice in Hg contaminated paddy field.

Determination of Rice Prices to the Welfare of Petani in West Sumatra Province

The study aims to analyze the influence of rice production, crop dry grain prices (GKP), rice consumption, per capita income and the number of people moderated by rice prices that impact on farmers' well-being. This research method uses a quantitative approach with panel data. The study was conducted in West Sumatra Province in 19 districts / cities with secondary data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of West Sumatra Province in 2013 - 2019. Data analysis uses multiple line regression with panel data.

NERACA KETERSEDIAAN BERAS DI KALIMANTAN TIMUR SEBAGAI CALON IBUKOTA BARU INDONESIA DENGAN PENDEKATAN SISTEM DINAMIK

<p class="A04-abstrak3">Rice is the main and strategic commodity in East Kalimantan Province as primary food source. Rice production in this province was relatively low, around 66.57% of its consumption need, or at 33.43% deficit in 2019. This deficit will continue to increase if East Kalimantan becomes the country's capital city in 2025 due to arrival of new residents. Therefore, a proper policy to improve the balance of rice production and consumption need should be designed. This study aimed to develop rice availability balance model and formulate policy recommendation to fullfil the rice needs in the country's capital city candidate. The method used was dynamic system approach as rice balance availability determined by supply and demand sub-system. The study results showed that the model developed could describe the rice availability balance in East Kalimantan and had good validity level. Based on the simulation results on the existing condition in 2025, the rice availability in East Kalimantan as the country's capital city was only 44.80% of the consumption need. A recommended policy scenario to improve the rice balance in this provionce is the combination of policies on production and consumption sides, namely minimal rice planting index at 1.9 (irrigation) and 1.2 (without irrigation), minimum rice yield at 4.67 tons per ha (irrigation) and 3.50 ton per ha (without irrigation), open up new rice field at 1,000 ha, no rice field conversion, conversion rate from unhusk paddy to rice yield at 64%, and maximum per capita rice consumption at 80 kg/year.</p>

Analisis Efisiensi Usahatani Padi di Jawa dan Luar Jawa, Kajian Prospek Peningkatan Produksi Padi Nasional

Rice can grow in almost all of the islands in Indonesia, but 57 per cent of it was produced in Java, which is less than 10 per cent of the national area in Indonesia. To anticipate the increasing need for rice consumption, it is important to study the prospects for increasing national rice production, especially by utilizing the potential of agricultural land outside Java island. The purpose of this study was to identify the prospects for the development of national rice, especially outside Java island, from the perspective of rice production factors and technical efficiency at the farm level. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the translog production function showed that the increasing use of inputs (land, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) will not significantly increase rice production both in Java and outside Java island (inelastic). Technical efficiency analysis indicated that rice production in Java and outside Java island was 28 and 39 per cent below its frontier, respectively. Further analysis showed that irrigation, land status, farmer groups, and farmer education were significantly improved technical efficiency. This study concluded that the potential to increase rice production by increasing technical efficiency outside of Java island was greater than in Java island. However, increasing the efficiency of rice production outside Java may be constrained by the availability of irrigated agricultural land. To significantly increase national rice production both in Java and outside Java island, a breakthrough in new rice production technology is needed.

Essential nutrient element profiles in rice types: a risk–benefit assessment including inorganic arsenic

Rice is consumed by nearly half of the global population and a significant source of energy and nutrients. However, rice consumption can also be a significant pathway of inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure, thus requiring a risk–benefit assessment. This study assessed nutrient element (NE) densities in fifty-five rice types (white, brown and wild rice) marketed in the UK. Densities of essential NE were used to rank rice types in meeting daily NE targets under different consumption scenarios through a newly developed optimisation approach. Using iAs data from these rice types, we assessed the margin of exposure (MOE) for low (the UK) and high (Bangladesh) rice intake scenarios. Our results showed that brown and wild rice are significantly higher in many NE and significantly contribute to dietary reference value (DRV). Our modelling showed that switching to brown or wild rice could increase the intake of several essential nutrients by up to eight times that of white rice. Using rice consumption data for mid-to-high-consumption countries, we estimate that brown rice could provide 100 % adult DRV for Fe, Mg, Cr, P and Mo, and substantial contributions for Zn, Se and K. Our results show that the amount of rice primarily determines risk from iAs consumed rather than the type of rice. Therefore, switching from white to brown or wild rice could be beneficial, provided iAs concentration in rice is within the recommended limits.

Mercury Accumulation in Commercial Varieties of Oryza sativa L. Cultivated in Soils of La Mojana Region, Colombia

The Hg accumulation in different commercial varieties of Oryza sativa L. was evaluated in the region of La Mojana, Colombia, where rice cultivation has become the staple food of the population living in this area. The varieties studied were Fedearroz-473 (FA473), Fedearroz-2000 (FA2000), and Fedearroz-Mocari (FAM). Soil spiked at different Hg levels was evaluated, (130, 800, and 1500 µg kg−1) using a 32 factorial design that consisted of 3 (rice varieties) × 3 (Hg contents). The biomass, 1000-grain weight, and the accumulation of Hg in the roots, grains, and husks were determined. The highest biomass was found in the FA473 (308.76 ± 108.26 g), and the lowest was found in FAM (144.04 ± 26.45 g) in the 1500 µg kg−1 Hg soil in both cases. The weight per 1000-grains decreased significantly in the soil containing 800 µg of Hg kg−1. Hg accumulation in the organs of the evaluated varieties was higher in the roots, followed by in the husks and grains. The Hg in the rice grains of the evaluated varieties presented levels close to the permissible limit of the Chinese standard (20 μg Hg kg−1) in the evaluated soils and were only exceeded by FA473. Although in natural soil concentrations, the non-cancer health risk (HQ) from rice consumption was lower for FA473 and FAM; Hg enrichment in the soil of La Mojana region may endanger the health of future populations due to their high consumption of rice.

Diet and dog characteristics affect major and trace elements in hair and blood of healthy dogs

Obtaining correct amounts of essential elements, and avoiding toxic metals are key factors in dog health. Through analyzing major and trace elements in hair and blood of 50 healthy companion dogs using ICP-MS, we study their associations with dog characteristics and diet, hypothesizing that eating the same diet long-term results in strong correlations between hair and blood element concentrations, and that dog characteristics and diet affect element status. The correlation between hair and blood was significant for Hg (R = 0.601, p = 0.000) and Pb (R = 0.384, p = 0.010). The following associations were significant (p < 0.05): Dark hair had higher Ca and Mg compared to light hair. Females had higher hair Zn, blood Mn, and blood As compared to males. Blood Mn and Se increased, while blood Pb decreased with age. Raw diet fed dogs had higher hair Zn and Se compared to dry or mixed diet fed dogs, and lower blood Mn compared to dry diet fed dogs. Dry and mixed diet fed dogs had higher blood Cd compared to raw diet fed dogs. Mixed diet fed dogs had higher hair Ca and Mg compared to raw or dry diet fed dogs, and higher hair Pb compared to dry diet fed dogs. Wild game consumption was associated with higher blood Pb, and rice consumption with higher blood As. In conclusion, hair provides an alternative for assessing Hg and Pb exposure, and major and trace elements status is affected by hair color, sex, age, and diet.

The implementation and synergy of Indonesian national food reserves

In aggregate, Indonesia’s national food reserves (rice) in early 2021 are adequate, as indicated by the stock to use ratio (SUR) reaching 25.16% above the FAO recommendation of 17‒18%, with the end of 2020 rice stock reaching 7.9 million tons from 29.3 million tons rice consumption needs. As mandated by Food Law 18/2012, Indonesia has established a multi-layered mechanism of national food reserves, consist of a central government food reserve, regional government food reserves (provincial, district/city, and village level), and community food reserves. This paper aims to examine the various implementation of Indonesia’s national rice reserves along with synergy recommendations to strengthen government, regional governments, and community’s food reserves. The approach used is descriptive qualitative analysis, by exploring information and secondary data across institutions with national and regional coverage. The results of the study show: (1) the need for an increase in Central Government Rice Reserves (CGRR) in the range of 1.5‒2 million tons accompanied by strengthening the mechanism to absorb farmers production of unhulled rice/rice to stabilize rice prices especially at the peak harvest time; (2) strengthening the intensity of advocacy and coordination amongst key-stakeholders in provincial and district/city to optimize the implementation of government food reserves area; and (3) strengthening and developing village-based community food barns through cooperation with the Strategic Command for Rice Mill Development (Kostraling) and Village Owned Enterprise (BUM Desa and BUM Desma).