Rice tends to accumulate heavy metals present in soil that have been introduced by human activities and pass them up the food chain. The present study aimed to evaluate the accumulation of selected trace elements (Cu, Zn, and Pb) in paddy and soil and the transfer of these metals from soil to rice by analysing the bioconcentration factor (BCF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and translocation factor (TF) of heavy metals in paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and soil. Samples of matured paddy and the substrates were collected from three different areas located near a rural point (RP), a transportation point (TP), and an industrial point (IP). Heavy metal concentrations present in the soil and various parts of the plants were ascertained using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Cu, Zn, and Pb accumulation in the soil were detected in increasing orders of RP > TP > IP, IP > TP > RP, and IP > RP > TP, respectively. The BCF_shoot, BAF, and transfer factor of both Zn and Pb from soil to rice were detected in the order of TP > IP > RP, which was different from Cu, where BCF_shoot and TF showed the order of RP > IP > TP but the BAF indicated IP > RP > TP. TF > 1 was discovered for Zn and Pb at the TP, and for Cu at the RP, which could be attributed to the TP’s strongly acidic soil and Cu’s abundance in the RP’s soil. Paddy height and yield traits were the most significant at the IP site, showing the highest number of fertile spikelets, the average weight of a 1000-paddy spikelet, and the harvest index (0.56). These findings can be related to the normal range of Zn and Pb found in rice plants that support growth. Thus, the findings of this study demonstrated that soil properties and metal abundance in soil from certain land use practices can partially influence the mobility and transfer of metals through soil–plant pathways.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of surface treatment on rice husk reinforced recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) composites. Three types of surface treatment on rice husk were carried out which were maleated treatment, alkaline treatment and acrylic acid treatment. The characteristics and mechanical properties of the composites were analysed. The results for all treatments showed that tensile strength and break elongation of composites decreased significantly when the rice husk filler loading increased. Further findings showed that maleated treatment on rice husk can further enhance the mechanical properties due to the present of ester bond formed in FTIR analysis.

This study investigated chemical treatment’s impact on mechanical and flammability properties of rice husk-reinforced recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) composites. Three treatments (maleate, alkali, acid) were applied to rice husk, and composites were tested for tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus of elasticity. Results showed that tensile strength decreased with increasing rice husk content, except for composites treated with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE), which exhibited the highest strength at 10% filler content. Break elongation generally decreased with increased rice husk content, while the modulus of elasticity improved with higher rice husk content, except for acid-treated composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed better interfacial bonding in composites with lower rice husk loading. Maleate treatment enhanced flame resistance. In conclusion, chemical treatment has the potential to enhance the properties of rice husk-reinforced r-HDPE composites for various applications.

Hybrid fibre which is rice husk (RH) and softwood were used as organic fibre with different compositions which are 10%, 20% and 30%. Whereas polymer matrix Hybrid fibre which is rice husk (RH) and softwood were used as organic fibre with different compositions which are 10%, 20% and 30%. Whereas polymer matrix