Effects of single basal application of coated compound fertilizer on yield and nitrogen use efficiency in double-cropped rice

Fertilizer plays an important role in increasing rice yield. More than half of all fertilizer applied to the field is not taken up, resulting in environmental damage and substantial economic losses. To address these concerns, a low-cost, coated compound fertilizer named "Xiang Nong Da"(XND), requiring only a single basal application, was studied. A two-year field experiment was conducted to test the effects of XND application on rice yield and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency. An ordinary uncoated compound fertilizer(UNCF), with 20% more nutrients and split application was selected as the control. The yield of XND-treated rice was only 3.1% lower than that of the control, an insignificant difference. There were no significant differences between N use efficiency indices of the two fertilizer treatments except for N partial factor productivity(PFP_N). PFP_Nof XND treatment was 19.7%–23.2% higher than the control, a significant difference. This result indicates that a 20% decrease in N application rate is possible with XND without yield reduction and with savings in both labor and time.

Yield and tillering response of super hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu to tillage and establishment methods

Tillering is an important agronomic trait for rice grain production. To evaluate yield and tillering response, Liangyoupeijiu(super hybrid rice) was grown in Hunan, China during 2011–2012 under different methods of tillage(conventional and no-tillage system) and crop establishment methods(transplanting at a spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm with one seedling per hill and direct seeding at a seeding rate of 22.5 kg ha-1). Our results revealed that, at maximum tillering(Max.) and at maturity(MA) stages, direct seeding(DS) resulted in 22% more tillers than transplanting(TP) irrespective of tillage system. Tiller mortality reached a peak between panicle initiation(PI) and booting(BT) stages, and was 16% higher under conventional tillage(CT) than under no-tillage(NT). Transplanting required 29% more time for the completion of tillering and less for DS. Tillering rate was 43% higher in DS than TP under either CT or NT. There was a positive correlation between panicle number per m2and maximum tiller number per m2, but not panicle-bearing tiller rate. The panicle bearing tiller rate was higher under DS than TP and higher under NT than CT. Tiller dry weight gradually increased up to heading(HD) stage, and was 14% higher under TP than DS. Leaf area(cm2tiller-1) gradually increased from Max. to HD stage and then decreased by 34% in conventional tillage transplanting(CTTP) and 45% in no-tillage transplanting(NTTP) from 12DAH–24DAH(days after heading), but was similar(35%) under DS under either CT or NT. Grain yield was higher under CTTP owing to the larger sink size(heavier panicle, more spikelets in per cm length of panicle) than under DS.

Improving nitrogen management for zero-tillage rice in China

Zero-tillage has become increasingly attractive in rice production in China.This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of two possible improved N management practices with fewer N applications in zero-tillage rice:(1)two split applications of urea at75 kg N ha^(-1)at mid-tillering and 45 kg N ha^(-1)at panicle initiation(U_(120–2)),and(2)a single application of cross-linked polyacrylamide-coated urea(a slow-release fertilizer)at midtillering at a rate of 150 kg N ha^(-1)(PCU_(150–1)).Three field experiments were conducted to compare grain yield and N-use efficiency among several N treatments:a zero-N control(CK),U_(120–2),PCU_(150–1),a single application of urea at mid-tillering at a rate of 150 kg N ha^(-1)(U_(150–1)),and a commonly recommended N management practice for conventional tillage rice(three split applications of urea with 75 kg N ha^(-1)as basal,30 kg N ha^(-1)at mid-tillering,and 45 kg N ha^(-1)at panicle initiation)(U_(150–3)).Treatments with N application(U_(120–2),PCU_(150–1),U_(150–1),and U_(150–3))produced 1.08–3.16 t ha^(-1)higher grain yields than CK.Grain yields under both U_(120–2)and PCU_(150–1)were comparable to that in U_(150–3).Recovery efficiency of N(RE_N),agronomic N-use efficiency(AE_N)and partial factor productivity of applied N(PFP_N)were increased under U_(120–2)and were similar under PCU_(150–1)to those under U_(150–3).U_(150–1)showed lower grain yield,RE_N,AE_N,and PFP_Nthan U_(150–3).These results suggest that U_(150–3)can be replaced with U_(120–2)to achieve both an increase in N-use efficiency and a reduction in number of N applications and or by PCU_(150–1)to achieve a maximum reduction in number of N applications in zero-tillage rice production in China.

Critical Yield Factors for Achieving High Grain Yield in Early-Season Rice Grown under Mechanical Transplanting Conditions

Double-season rice cropping systems occupy a large portion of the rice production area in southern China.Because the problem of insufficient labor,mechanical transplanting(in contrast to the manual transplanting)was become more attractive in double-season rice system.However,the decisive yield factors which resulting in high grain yield of early-season rice are unclear under mechanical-transplanted conditions.In present study,the field experiments were conducted in the early season in 2017 and repeated in 2018 in Santang Town,Hunan Province,China.Ten early season rice cultivars(Zhuliangyou 819,Lingliangyou 268,Lingliangyou 104,Luliangyou 996,Xiangzaoxian 24,Xiangzaoxian 32,Xiangzaoxian 45,Xiangzaoxian 42,Zhongjiazao 17,and Zhongzao 39)were used as materials in this study.The difference in grain yield and closely-related agronomic and physiological traits of ten tested cultivars were compared.The range of yields(t ha^(–1) at 86%dry matter)in 2017 was 6.2 to 8.7(mean 7.8)and in 2018 was 6.5 to 8.4(mean 7.8).Grain weight and pre-heading biomass accumulation had potent significant positive correlations with the grain yield.The greater pre-heading biomass accumulation was major attributed to higher apparent radiation use efficiency.Our results suggested that early-season rice cultivars to achieve the high grain yield in mechanical-transplanted conditions depends on apparent radiation use efficiency in the pre-heading period and higher grain weight.

Physiological Processes Contributing to the Difference in Grain Amino Acid Content Between Two Hybrid Rice(Oryza sativa L.)Cultivars

Improving grain amino acid content of rice(Oryza sativa L.)is essential for the health of consumers.This study was conducted to identify the physiological processes that contribute to the higher grain amino acid content in hybrid rice cultivar Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996.The results showed that total amino acid content in grains was 9%higher in Lingliangyou 268 than in Luliangyou 996.There was no significant difference in grain nitrogen(N)content between Lingliangyou 268 and Luliangyou 996,while ratio of amino acid to N was 6%higher in Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996.A total of 16 differentially expressed proteins related to amino acid metabolism(e.g.,erythronate-4-phosphate dehydrogenase domain containing protein)were identified in grains between Lingliangyou 268 and Luliangyou 996.The identified proteins were involved in 10 molecular functions.Six of the 10 defined functions were related to binding(heterocyclic compound binding,nucleoside phosphate binding,nucleotide binding,organic cyclic compound binding,protein binding,and small molecule binding)and the other 4 defined functions were catalytic activity,enzyme regulator activity,hydrolase activity,and transferase activity.These results indicate that the higher grain amino acid content in Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996 is attributed to increased efficiency of converting N to amino acid that results from altered expression of proteins related to amino acid metabolism.

Foliar Application of Brassinolide Induced Regulation of Grain Yield and Quality,Antioxidant Responses and Aroma in Fragrant Rice

Brassinolide(BR)is a new green plant growth regulator.The present field study was conducted on two fragrant rice cultivars(i.e.,Meixiangzhan-2 and Xiangyaxiangzhan)to study the effects of foliar application of BR on fragrant rice performance.At the heading stage,BR solutions at 0.05,0.15,0.25 and 0.50 mg L-1 were sprayed on fragrant rice at 600 liters per hectare;these treatments were named as BR1,BR2,BR3 and BR4,respectively.The treatment sprayed with distilled water was taken as a control(CK).Compared with CK,the BR2 treatment significantly enhanced the chlorophyll concentration and net photosynthetic rate for Meixiangzhan-2,and Xiangyaxiangzhan.The BR3 and BR4 treatments increased the concentrations of chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and carotenoid,and also enhanced net photosynthetic rate by 31.91%and 40.43%,respectively.Higher grain yields were recorded in the BR2 treatment than on CK on Meixiangzhan-2,while on Xiangyaxiangzhan,the BR3 and BR4 treatments increased grain yield compared with CK.In relation to CK,higher head rice rates were recorded in the BR2 treatment for Meixiangzhan-2,and in the BR3 and BR4 treatments for Xiangyaxiangzhan.BR treatments(BR2 for Meixiangzhan-2,BR3 and BR4 for Xiangyaxiangzhan)also significantly enhanced the activities of GPX,SOD and CAT by 10.22%to 23.00%,and reduced the malonaldehyde concentration.In addition,we observed that some BR treatments(BR2 for Meixiangzhan-2,BR3 and BR4 for Xiangyaxiangzhan)decreased the grain 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline concentration of fragrant rice.

Performance of Soft Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grown in Early Season in China

Eating quality is of paramount importance to rice(Oryza sativa L.)consumers and soft rice with low amylose content has become popular in China.This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of soft rice grown in the early season(ES)dominated by non-soft rice.Field experiments were conducted in Yongan and Santang,Hunan Province,China from 2016-2018.Results showed that grain amylose content in soft rice cultivars was consistently lower in the ES compared to the late season(LS).The lower grain amylose content in the ES compared to the LS was partly attributed to higher average daily mean temperature during grain filling.No significant relationship was observed between grain yield and seed amylose content in ES rice.Soft rice cultivars produced a similar average grain yield to non-soft rice cultivars in the ES.These results encourage breeders to develop more ES rice cultivars with soft texture to meet the consumer demand for this type of rice.

Biochar Application Enhanced Post-Heading Radiation Use Efficiency in Field-Grown Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

It has been shown that adding biochar to soil can improve nitrogen(N)uptake and utilization in rice(Oryza sativa L.).However,there is a lack of research on the physiological alterations of rice as a result of the changes in nitrogen uptake due to the addition of biochar.This study conducted field experiments in 2015 and 2016 with the goal of testing the hypothesis that the application of biochar would enhance radiation use efficiency(RUE)of rice by improving the plant’s ability to take in and utilize nitrogen.Our results demonstrated that the application of biochar(20 t ha−1)induced no significant effects on pre-heading specific leaf weight(SLW),nitrogen uptake(NUpre),and leaf area index(LAI)at heading,the ratios of LAI/NUpre and SLW/Nupre,or pre-heading RUE.How-ever,biochar application significantly increased post-heading nitrogen uptake(NUpost),ratios of NUpost/SLWand NUpost/LAI,and post-heading RUE.These results indicate that the application of biochar can improve the plant’s nitrogen uptake and RUE in field-grown rice during the post-heading period,which confirms our hypothesis.

Amylose Content and Starch Granule Size in Rice Grains are Affected By Growing Season

Amylose content and starch granule size in grains influence rice quality,which differs between the early(ES)and late season(LS).The objective of this study was to determine the variation of amylose content and starch granule size between seasons and find the main reasons(e.g.,temperature and solar radiation)for the observed variation.Field experiments with six rice varieties(three high and three low amylose content rice)planted in the ES and LS were conducted in 2016 and 2017,respectively.The mean temperatures during the filling stage were higher in ES,however,the daily temperatures at 7-10 days after flowering(DAF)in 2016,and at 5-10,13-14 DAF in 2017 were higher in LS.The results showed that amylose content in LS was lower than in ES with high amylose content rice varieties(HACV);the opposite trend occurred with low amylose content rice varieties(LACV).The mean starch granule diameter was higher in LS than ES in 2016,but the opposite result occurred in 2017 with all rice.Our results suggest that higher temperatures increased and decreased the amylose content in HACV and LACV,respectively.Temperatures at 5-15 DAF were important for the formation of starch granules:lower temperatures during 10-14 DAF increased the proportion of larger starch granules(d>6.21μm,some with d>13.3μm),and higher temperatures at 5-6 DAF increased the proportion of starch granules with diameter 4.24-6.21μm.