LAUSR

BACKGROUND Mineral elements are nutrients required by an organism to perform functions necessary for survival. Stress induced metabolism following nutritional stress have been reported to increase levels of anthocyanin. However, the role of mineral elements commonly found in soil and their contribution to anthocyanin content accumulation in rice plants is uncertain. RESULT Amongst the ten mineral elements investigated, the cultivation of rice plants in clean sand showed that the Mg, Se, and Cu treated plants had the highest accumulated anthocyanin content in the leaves whilst, B, Cr, and Se had the most effect on grains. Yield component data showed major positive effects from Mg, Cr, and B. Furthermore, the interaction of Zn*Se and Mg*Cu positively affected the anthocyanin contents in grains. The self-organizing map indicated that the total anthocyanin content is relatively proportional to the concentration of Mn, B, and Cr, but disproportional to that of Se. However, rice plants with added Fe produced the least amount of total anthocyanin content, less than the control, in the four stages of rice growth. CONCLUSION The appropriate concentrations of mineral elements in soil could promote the proliferation of anthocyanin content in rice plants and grains. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.