Evaluation of the Knowledge Base in Agriculture and Food to Reduce and Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu)

Abstract

Kidney disease is a growing global problem, more so in tropical regions. The cause of CKDu is multifactorial and influenced by heavy metal (HM) contamination, inhibiting essential enzymatic reactions. Fertilizers and water contamination are believed to cause the disease. This study aimed to review the existing knowledge base, focusing on a transitional approach to advanced technologies with the least HMs and to use justifiable scientific reasoning supported by published data, to used to demonstrate the movement of Cadmium (Cd) at both low and high concentrations from applied fertilizer through the soil to grain and rice. The quantity of fertilizer applied per ha with the given Cd levels was equated to Cd concentrations in the harvested grain and rice per ha, considering positive or negative contributions from the soil. Weekly consumption levels of rice at the threshold limits by an average Sri Lankan were determined for low and high Cd levels in rice using the tolerance limits of two international standards. It is best to characterize watersheds and determine the movement of nutrients and HM in ferruginous soils. Hinderance to phosphate immobility in these soils can be overcome by applying biochar biofertilizer with possible enrichment of biofilm biofertilizers to replace totally inorganic fertilizers contaminated with HMs. Cd levels of 836.25 and 393.75 of the two publications equate to the assumed harvest: lowest 21.22, average 385.13, and the highest 1246.10 mg Cd ha-1. Allowable standards indicate that the weekly limit of a Sri Lankan to consume rice is 300 g, containing a high concentration of 0.2618 mg Cd kg-1 and 1kg or 604 g, having 0.1339 mg Cd kg-1 for an average harvest of 4350 kg.ha-1. Water contains HM, particularly arsenic from fertilizer and pesticides. Recommended researching while implementing phytoremediation, mechanized farming, preventing UVB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and organic agriculture with supporting technologies of watershed resource management.