Substantial Progress and Remaining Challenges in Developing Low-Cadmium Rice in China

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice poses a serious public health concern. To address this issue, China has developed several low-Cd rice varieties by targeting the Cd uptake transporter OsNRAMP5. The first of these varieties was commercially cultivated in 2023, exhibiting ultralow Cd concentrations in grains alongside high grain yield. However, several challenges emerged in 2024, including uncertainties regarding their resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, limited information is available on their nutrient uptake characteristics and grain nutritional quality. These gaps highlight the need for further research to comprehensively evaluate the performance of low-Cd rice varieties developed in China.