Nitrogen Deep Placement Combined with Straw Mulch Cultivation Enhances Physiological Traits,Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Mechanical Pot-Seedling Transplanting Rice

To assess the effects of straw return coupled with deep nitrogen(N)fertilization on grain yield and N use efficiency(NUE)in mechanical pot-seedling transplanting(MPST)rice,the seedlings of two rice cultivars,i.e.,Yuxiangyouzhan and Wufengyou 615 transplanted by MPST were applied with N fertilizer at 150 kg/hm2 and straw return at 6 t/hm2 in early seasons of 2019 and 2020.The experiment comprised of following treatments:CK(no fertilizer and no straw return),MDS(deep N fertilization and straw return),MBS(broadcasting fertilizer and straw return),MD(deep N fertilization without straw return),MB(broadcasting fertilizer without straw return).Results depicted that the MDS treatment significantly increased the rice yield by 41.69%-72.22%due to total above-ground biomass,leaf area index and photosynthesis increased by 54.70%-55.80%,38.52%-52.17%and 17.89%-28.40%,respectively,compared to the MB treatment.In addition,the MDS treatment enhanced the total N accumulation by 37.74%-43.69%,N recovery efficiency by 141.45%-164.65%,N agronomic efficiency by 121.76%-134.19%,nitrate reductase by 46.46%-60.86%and glutamine synthetase by 23.56%-31.02%,compared to the MB treatment.The average grain yield and NUE in both years for Yuxiangyouzhan were higher in the MDS treatment than in the MD treatment.Hence,deep N fertilization combined with straw return can be an innovative technique with improved grain yield and NUE in MPST in South China.

Tillering Characteristics of Different Varieties of Double-season Rice under Different Mechanical Transplanting Modes

A total of 8 early-season and late-season rice varieties with different growth periods were selected, and their tillering characteristics under wide-narrow row and equal row .transplanting modes were studied. The results showed that the length of slow growth phase was related to the performance of transplanter; the ef- fect of mechanical transplanting on tillering of early-season rice was greater than that of late-season rice; Compared with late-season rice, early-season rice showed later tillering and longer tillering period; the tiller number per plant and effective panicle number per plant differed greatly among different varieties of double-season rice; under the condition of same transplanting density, the tillers of rice under wide- narrow row transplanting mode appeared rapidly and disappeared slowly, and wide- narrow row transplanting mode improved tillering, effective panicle number and yield of rice; different varieties of double-season rice showed different adaptability to me- chanical transplanting, and the varieties with short growth period, strong tilledng a- bility and more effective panicles per plant were more suitable for mechanical trans- planting; the effect of mechanical transplanting on rejuvenation of rice could be im- proved by improving the performance of transplanter.

Major Physiological Characters of Different Double Cropping Rice Varieties by Different Mechanical Transplanting Methods

The research selected 16 rice varieties（8 early and 8 late double-cropping rice） by mechanical transplanting modes as per equivalent row and wide-narrow row to explore yield and physiological traits in order to provide references for selection of rice variety suitable for mechanical transplanting. The results showed that yields of early and late rice improved by 2.90% and 2.73% by mechanical transplanting as per equivalent row and wide-narrow row respectively. Besides, leaf area index in the treatment as per wide-narrow row was higher compared with the treatment as per equivalent row, as well as average photosynthetic potential which grew by 0.92%,3.99% and 5.64% of early from tillering-peak stage to mature stage and 3.46%,7.09% and 6.79% of late rice. Furthermore, by mechanical transplanting as per wide-narrow row, SPAD value, and root activity performer higher, as well as the number of differentiated branch and glumous flowers, but degradation rate showed lower. In addition, with mechanical transplanting the same, early rice Zhuliangyou819 and late rice Fengyuanyou 299 took advantages in yield, which can be priorities for mechanical transplanting in double-cropping areas in Jiangxi Province.

Effects of Mechanical Sowing and Transplanting on Characteristics of Dry Matter Production in Middle-season Hybrid Rice

To clarify the effects of mechanical sowing and transplanting on dry mat- ter production of middle-season hybrid rice, a two-factor split plot design was used to study the effects of different sowing and transplanting methods and their interac- tion with the seedling number per hill or seeding time on dry matter accumulation, distribution and transformation of F You 498, a middle-season hybrid rice variety, under field conditions in 2012 and 2013. The results showed that there was a marked effect of the sowing and transplanting methods and their interaction with the seedling number per hill or seeding time on dry matter accumulation, distribution and transformation. The total population dry matter accumulation of the treatments with mechanical direct seeding （MDS） and machine-based transplanting （MT） was lower than that of the treatment with traditional manual transplanting （TMT）. How- ever, MDS had higher dry matter accumulation and accumulating rate in the joint- ing-earing stage,and maintained higher stem-sheath exportation, export rate and transformation than MT and TMT; MT had higher dry matter accumulation and ac- cumulating rate in the heading-maturity period than MDS and TMT. Moreover, the treatments with low seedling number per hill or early seeding enhanced the assimi- lation of dry matter after heading,the ratio of dry matter accumulation after earing to biomass yield and the contribution rate of dry matter accumulation after earing, and a reasonable early sowing was favorable to increase the harvest index of middle- season hybrid rice under mechanical sowing and transplanting conditions.

Comparison of agronomic performance between inter-sub-specific hybrid and inbred japonica rice under different mechanical transplanting methods

Mechanical transplanting has been applied to rice cultivation to save labor costs and ease labor shortages in Asian countries, especially in China. However, little information is available related to the characteristics of agronomic performance when comparing inter-sub-specific hybrid rice(IHR) and inbred japonica rice(IJR) under mechanical transplanting method. In 2013 and 2014, field experiments were conducted using IHR(Yongyou 2640) and IJR(Wuyunjing 24) under two cultivation patterns, that is, pot seedlings mechanically transplanted(PS) and carpet seedlings mechanically transplanted(CS). Grain yield, yield components, leaf area index(LAI), leaf area duration(LAD), aboveground biomass, crop growth rate(CGR), nitrogen(N) uptake, and N accumulation were investigated. When compared with CS, PS displayed significantly increased grain yield for both varieties because the larger sink size allowed higher N accumulation from panicle initiation to maturity. Moreover, total aboveground biomass under PS increased significantly compared with that under CS; that is, higher photosynthetic productivity resulted from a greater LAI and higher LAD during the grain filling stage. Higher N absorption capacity in the middle and late growth periods resulted in significantly enhanced total N uptake under PS. When compared with IJR for both treatments, IHR generated 75.2% more grain yield. However, the characteristics creating high yield of IHR were different from those of IJR. Greater aboveground biomass production as well as higher N uptake and accumulation created higher grain yield in IHR than in IJR. These results suggest higher yield could be achieved using PS with IHR, attributing to exploit both yield superiority and productive potential.

Reducing environmental risk of nitrogen by popularizing mechanically dense transplanting for rice production in China

The high nitrogen(N)application rates typically used in Chinese cropping systems have led to diminishing returns for yields and have also imposed substantial environmental costs.Here,we estimate that the annual N loss from rice production in China reached approximately 2.6×109 kg from 2011 to 2015,and we demonstrate that adoption of the mechanically dense transplanting technique by producers is an effective method to reduce N loss from rice cropping systems without suffering a yield penalty.

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.

Overlapped Tray Seedling Raising Model for Mechanical Transplanting of Rice

With the development of China's social economy,transfer of rural labors,and rise of labor costs,the rice production technologies are changing from manual operation to mechanical operation.The core of mechanical rice production is mechanical planting,while the key to mechanical planting is the seedling raising.On the basis of analyzing and studying the problems and experience of traditional mechanical transplanting of rice,a new overlapped tray seedling raising model was introduced.Main features of this model: substrate seedling raising and overlapped seedling tray.The seedling trays for seeding line are overlapped,and the overlapped trays are moved into the seedling room with controlled temperature and humidity.The temperature of the seedling room is controlled at 30-32℃,and the humidity of the seedling room is controlled at above 90%.After about 48 h,when the seedling height reaches 0.5 cm,move the seedling trays to the nursery.This model consists of one seeding center( seedling raising center) and N nurseries,to realize 1 + N seedling raising for mechanical transplanting of rice.One seeding center can provide seedlings for several hundred to several thousand hectares of mechanical transplanting of rice,and provide a new model for social services.This model could improve the quality of seedlings,increase the seedling survival rate by about 20%,reduce the seedling raising costs by 15%-20%,reduce the seedling raising risks,and greatly increase the utilization rate of the site and equipment of seedling raising center.

Effects of Mechanized Transplanting and Fertilization Mode on Population Growth and Development of Male Parent in Seed Production of Hybrid Rice

In order to study the effects of mechanized transplanting and fertilization mode on population growth and development of the male parent in seed production of hybrid rice, three male parents, Huazhan, Shuhui 527 and R9311 were selected as materials. The male parents were transplanted by rice transplanter with two kinds of line spacing design, six lines with equal row spacing （20/25 cm x 30 cm） and wide and narrow spacing （20/25 cm x 40, 20 cm）, and artificial transplanting with equal row spacing （20/25 cm x 30 cm） was set as the control. The three fer- tilization modes were applying for one, two and three times. The flowering stage and panicle-spikelet structure of the male parent were investigated. The results showed that the effects of mechanized transplanting and fertilization mode were little on the duration from seeding to heading; the panicles and spikelets of the three male parents were significantly increased by mechanized transplanting. The tiller number was increased by mechanized transplanting and fertilizing for two and three times. Wide and narrow spacing by machine planting and fertilizing for three times were suitable for Huazhan, which significantly increased the number of spikelets per unit area. Furthermore, the number of spikelets per unit area of Shuhui 527 and R9311 were significantly increased by mechanized transplanting and fertilizing for three times.

Effects of Farming and Seedling-raising Methods on Population Growth and Grain Yield of Mechanized Transplanting Rice

The effects of farming method, rice variety and seedling-raising method were studied on the population growth quality and grain yield of the mechanized transplanting rice by way of three-factor split plot design. The results showed that the no-tillage mechanical transplanting treatment was poorer than the conventional mechanical transplanting treatment in transplanting quality in general, but the former was similar to the latter in population growth quality. In regard to grain yield, the no-tillage mechanical transplanting treatment was lower than the conventional me- chanical transplanting treatment. Raising both pot-mat seedling and plastic-tray seedling did not make much difference in population growth and grain yield of mechanized transplanting rice, so both of the seedling-raising methods can be adopted according to practical conditions.

Rice Transplanting Mechanization in Bangladesh: Way to Make It Sustainable

“Rice transplanter” has brought a radical change in the method of rice seedlings transplanting in Bangladesh. The machine is gaining popularity with the increase of labor crisis during the peak period of transplanting, reduction time of in-between crops, rapid urbanization and industrialization, and changing socio-economic status of the farmers. Alternatively, the traditional way of rice transplanting is labor-intensive and involves high drudgery. Mechanical rice transplanter is cost-effective and operation-friendly. It is suitable to plant young seedlings maintaining plant to plant and line to line distance which plays an important role in increasing yield. Moreover, it is easy to take care of the crops planted in rows. It helps in maintaining soil physical properties and is considered to be better from a crop management and productivity point of view. In malignancy of having an edge over the traditional broadcasting, the adoption rate of mechanical transplanters is low due to high primary investment, lack of knowledge in growing mat type nursery, lack of repair and maintenance facility to the end-users, and unavailability of spare parts. Imparting these, available supply, entrepreneurship development, and encouraging custom hire services may be some of the practical results for adding the rice area under mechanical transplanting. This review summarizes the problems and prospects associated with seedling rice transplanting, technological gaps in the adoption of mechanical transplanters in a sustainable manner, and future ways to make transplanters more user-friendly and cost-effective.

Effects of Seed Rate on Root Twining Power and Seedling Quality of Machine-transplanted Super Rice

In order to investigate the effects of seed rate on root twining power and seedling quality of machine-transplanted super rice cultivars, Yongyou 12 and Zhongzheyou No.l, total 6 seed rates were arranged, and the growth characteris- tics, quality and root twining power of machine-transplanted rice seedlings were studied. The results showed that seed rate had great effects on root twining power and qualityof rice seedlings; with the increase of seed rate, the root twining power of rice seedlings was increased, but the quality of rice seedlings was significantly reduced; under the condition of high seed rate, rice seedlings were weak with less accumulate dry matter and nonuniform growth, and the proportion of weak seedlings was higher. When the seed rate of both rice cultivars was reduced by 10 g/tray, the average seedling height was increased by 0.5 cm, leaf age was increased by 0.1, stem base diameter was increased by 0.1 cm, and root number per plant was increased by 0.3. When the seed rate was increased by 10 g/tray, the accumulated dry matter per plant was reduced by 5.1 mg. With the increase of seed rate, the seedling quality of Zhongzheyou No.1 was decreased rapidly, and the proportion of weak seedlings was increased rapidly. However, Yongyou 12 has a larger elasticity in seed rate. When the seed rate reached to 50 g/tray, blanket seedlings of Yongy- ou 12 were nursed with uniform growth and higher quality, but the shoots were sparse with lower leaf area index. However, when the seed rate was up to 50 g/tray, blanket seedlings of Zhongzheyou No.1 were nursed with uniform growth and higher quality, as well as higher-density shoots. From a comprehensive point of view, the optimum seed rates of Yongyou 12 and Zhongzheyou No.1 were 65 and 50 g/tray, respectively.

Effects of Different Application Times of Tillering Fertilizer on Grain Yield and Population Development of Double-cropping Rice Transplanted by Machine

The application of tillering fertilizer plays an important role in promoting rice tillering and improving rice yield. However, under the condition of mechanical transplanting, the optimal application time of tillering fertilizer is still unclear. In this study, the early rice cultivar Zhongjiazao 17 and late rice cultivar H You 518 were used as materials, and the effects of different application times of tillering fertilizer on yield and population development of double-cropping rice transplanted by machine were investigated. The tillering fertilizer was applied 7（D07）, 10（D10） and 13（D13） d after the transplanting, respectively. The results showed that compared with those in the D07 treatment groups, the yield of early rice in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were reduced by 9.4% and 3.8%, respectively, and the yield of late rice in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were reduced by 4.5% and 12.6%,respectively. However, there were no significant differences in rice yield among the treatment groups. The application time of tillering fertilizer showed significant effects on grain number per panicle and seed setting rate of early rice. The grain number per panicle in the D10 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group, and the seed setting rate of the D13 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group（P〈0.05）. For the late rice, the effect of application time of tillering fertilizer on effective tiller number was most obvious, and the effective tiller number in the D13 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group（P〈0.05）. Compared with those in the D07 treatment group, the effective tiller numbers, leaf area indexes and biomasses in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were all trended to be decreased. Therefore,to improve the quality of population and fulfill the high-yielding potential of double-cropping rice transplanted by machine, the tillering fertilizer should be applied as early as possible after rice seedlings turn green.

Comparison of yield traits in rice among three mechanized planting methods in a rice-wheat rotation system

Understanding the differences in yield traits of rice among pothole seedling of mechanical transplanting （PSMT）, carpet seedling of mechanical transplanting （CSMT） and mechanical direct seeding （MDS） is of great importance not only for rice scientists but also for rice farmers to develop a high-yield production system under mechanical conditions in a rice-wheat rotation system. However, such traits are yet to be studied among rice varieties ofjaponica-indica hybrid rice （JIHR）,japonica conventional rice （JCR） and indica hybrid rice （IHR）. Field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015, where six cultivars of the three rice types JIHR, JCR and IHR were grown individually with PSMT, CSMT and MDS methods, under respective managements for each method to achieve the maximum attainable yield. Results showed that （i） the PSMT significantly increased grain yield of JIHR by 22.0 and 7.1%, of JCR by 15.6 and 3.7% and of I HR by 22.5 and 7.4%, compared to MDS and CSMT on average across the two years, respectively. The highest yield was produced by the combination of JIHR and PSMT; （ii） high yield under PSMT was mainly attributed to large sink capacity and high-efficient dry matter accumulation. With sufficient panicles per hectare, the increase of spikelet number per panicle, especially the increase in spikelet number of the secondary rachis-branches was determined to be the optimal approach for developing a large sink capacity for rice under PSMT. The optimal tillers development, large leaf area index at heading stage, and high leaf area duration, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate during grain-filling phase could be the cause of sufficient dry matter accumulation for rice under PSMT; （iii） moreover, the PSMT favored plant growth as well as enriched the stems plus sheaths during grain-filling phase, as compared with CSMT and MDS. These results suggest that PSMT may be an alternative approach to increasing grain yield in a rice-wheat rotation system in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China.

Effects of soilless substrates on seedling quality and the growth of transplanted super japonica rice

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soilless substrates of hydroponically grown long-mat seedlings （HLMS） on seedling quality and field growth characteristics of transplanted super japonica rice. A widely grown conventional super japonica rice cultivar （Wuyunjing 23） was selected as the test material. The effect of HLMS on seedling quality, mechanical transplantation quality, field growth characteristics, yield, and benefit-cost ratio were compared with seedlings grown in organic substrates and traditional nutritive soil, whJch was selected as the control. Root number, root twJstJng power and root activity of seedlings cultivated by HLMS were decreased compared to that of the organic substrates andcontrol. However, seedling root length as well as aboveground growth were increased compared to the organic substrates and control seed- lings. In the HLMS, the content of gibberellin acid （GA3） decreased while abscisic acid （ABA） content increased compared to that of the organic substrates and control seedlings. During the early stages after transplanting, the re-greening of HLMS was delayed compared to that of the organic substrates and control seedlings. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in tiller dynamics and crop yield among the HLMS, organic substrates and control treatments. The effects of HLMS on seedling production were similar to those of the organic substrates and traditional nutritive soil in the present study, suggesting that HLMS have the potential to replace traditional nutritive soil in seedling production without decreasing crop yield. Finally, it is important to reduce organic substrates and topsoil dependence during rice seedling production and worthwhile to consider HLMS popularization and its application on a larger scale.

Development and Experiment of 2ZB-79 Shallow Rice Seedling Transplanter

Shallow planting of the rice seedlings is an important factor for getting high yield as it can increase the effective tillers on the lownode of the stem. The 2 ZB-79 shallow rice seedling transplanter combined the advantages of shallow planting of the seedling-casting rice transplanter and orderly planting of the traditional rice transplanter. The principle of this kind of machine is firstly to cut the standardization nursery rice seedlings with rug soil into many small pieces,and then to plant the small pieces composed of pot soil and some seedlings on it to the field surface in order,only shallowly planted on the very top part of paddy soil. Not only it can keep the performance of planting shallowly and orderly,but also simplify many mechanisms for transition,separation,and plantation of rice seedlings. It is a new type of rice seedling transplanter called laying-type up to now to get higher efficiency when working and higher yield for rice production. This paper will introduce its developing results and analyze the comparative experiments.

Yield potential and stability in super hybrid rice and its production strategies

China＇s Super Hybrid Rice Breeding Program has made significant progress over the past two decades. In this paper, we reviewed our studies on the yield potential and stability in super hybrid rice and discussed the strategies for super hybrid rice production. The results of our studies show that rice yield potential has been increased by 12% in super hybrid cultivars as compared with ordinary hybrid and inbred cultivars. The higher grain yields in super hybrid rice cultivars are attributed to larger panicle size coupled with higher biomass production or higher harvest index. However, grain yields in super hybrid rice cultivars vary widely among locations depending on soil and climatic factors. Therefore, it is important to tailor target yield to local conditions in super hybrid rice production. The target yield for super hybrid rice production can be determined by the average yield method or the regression model method. Improving soil quality is critical to achieving the target yield in super hybrid rice production. Favorable crop rotations such as rice-oilseed rape and novel soil management practices, such as biochar addition, are effective approaches to improve soil quality. It is needed to develop simplified cultivation tech- nologies for super hybrid rice to meet the changes in socioeconomic environments during the period of transition. There are such technologies as no-tillage direct seeding and mechanized transplanting at high hill density with single seedling per hill.

Optimized design and experiment of the three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedlings

The transplanting arm of two-arm transplanting mechanism is easy to cause seedlings injury and missing due to its faster speed relative to the seedlings.In order to solve the existed problems,a three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedlings was developed in this study.The developed three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedling can make the transplanting arm realize special trajectory and attitude through the unequal planetary gear transmission.The kinematic model of three-arm transplanting mechanism for rice potted seedling was established,and the optimal design software was developed.Based on the heuristic optimization algorithm named“parameter guide”,a set of satisfied mechanism parameters required by the rice potted seedling transplanting were obtained.The trajectory and attitude of three-arm transplanting mechanism used for the rice potted seedling were analyzed.Besides,the virtual simulation results were basically consistent with the optimization software results,and the correctness of theoretical analysis and virtual simulation were also verified by each other.When the developed transplanting mechanism picked up the seedling,the velocity of transplanting arm relative to the seedling was reduced by about 30%.The results showed that the injury rate of rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism was 0.04%,the missing rate of seedling was 1.4%,the integrity rate of seedling pot matrix was 96%,and the success rate of picking seedling was 99.92%.

非圆齿轮-连杆组合式水稻钵苗膜上移栽机构优化设计与试验

为实现机械化一体式水稻钵苗膜上移栽要求,提出非圆齿轮-连杆组合式行星轮系移栽机构,用一套机构实现取苗、送苗、破膜挖穴和栽植4个工序协同配合作业,满足水稻钵苗膜上移栽所需的轨迹与姿态要求。对移栽机构进行理论分析并建立运动学模型,结合优化目标,基于Matlab GUI平台开发了数字可视化优化设计软件,通过人机交互获得1组满足移栽要求的机构参数。根据优化参数对机构开展结构设计与三维建模,通过ADAMS软件完成了虚拟样机仿真验证。研制了水稻钵苗膜上移栽机构物理样机与多功能试验测试台架,开展了移栽机构在空转和带苗状态下运动学特性和工作性能试验,结果表明,理论轨迹、虚拟样机仿真轨迹和物理样机台架试验轨迹在误差允许范围内保持一致,验证了移栽机构设计的一致性与正确性,性能试验结果:取苗成功率为94%,移栽成功率为92.36%,栽植株距变异系数为2.67%,满足移栽作业要求,验证了水稻钵苗膜上移栽机构设计的合理性与可行性。

三转臂式差动椭圆齿轮系分插机构的工作原理与运动分析

针对我国水稻插秧小株距密植的要求,设计一种三转臂式差动椭圆齿轮系分插机构。论述差动式椭圆齿轮系分插机构的工作原理,并通过该分插机构的示意图来阐述其工作原理和工作过程,同时通过建立运动学模型来对该机构进行运动学分析。