The University of Basel, in collaboration with the University of Bern, conducted a study on the impact of arsenic contamination on crops, particularly focusing on corn plants. Arsenic, a toxic element found naturally in soils, poses a significant threat to agriculture and human health, as it accumulates in the food chain. The study, published in PNAS, reveals a mechanism employed by corn plants to mitigate arsenic uptake: the secretion of benzoxazinoids by their roots.

Arsenic contamination is a global issue, prevalent in regions like Southeast Asia and even in certain areas of Switzerland. The similarity between arsenic and phosphorus poses a challenge for plants, as they absorb both elements through the same transport channels in their roots. This results in arsenic accumulation in the plant biomass and subs...