Determination of optimum nitrogen application rates in Zhejiang Province, China, based on rice yields and ecological security

Excessive nitrogen（N） fertilization in intensive agricultural areas such as the plain region of South China has resulted in low nitrogen use efficiency and serious environmental problems. To determine the optimum N application rate, grain yield, apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency（ANRE）, apparent N loss, and ammonium（NH_3） volatilization under different N application rates in the three years from 2012 to 2014 were studied. The results showed that the relationship between grain yields and N application rate in the three years were well fitted by quadratic equations. When N application rate reached 197 kg ha^（–1） in 2012, 199 kg ha^（–1） in 2013 and 196 kg ha^（–1） in 2014, the plateau of the grain yields appeared. With the increase of N application rate, the ANRE for rice decreased which could be expressed with sigmoidal equation; when N application rate was 305 kg ha^（–1） in 2012, 275 kg ha^（–1） in 2013 and 312 kg ha^（–1） in 2014, the curves of ANRE appeared turing points. Besides, the relationship between soil Nresidual and N application rate was fitted by the quadratic equation and the maximums of soil Nresidual were reached in the three years with the N application rate of 206, 244 and 170 kg ha^（–1）, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that NH3 volatilization and apparent N loss in three years all increased with the increasing N application rate. When the amount of NH3 volatilization increased to 11.6 kg N ha^（–1） in 2012, 40.5 kg N ha^（–1） in 2013 and 57.0 kg N ha^（–1）in 2014, the apparent N loss in the three years had obvious increase. To determine the optimum N application rate, the average N application on the plateau of the grain yield was considered as the lower limit while the average N application rate at the turning points of ANRE, the residual N in soil and apparent N loss was taken as the upper limit. According to the results in three years, the optimum N application rate for rice in Zhejiang was 197–255 kg ha^（–1）.

Simulation of China’s potential rice yields by coupling land system evolution and climate change

Land systems and climate,which are the key elements of agricultural production and key drivers of crop yields,affect the quality of arable land.However,a quantitative model to reveal the mechanism of how potential grain yields are affected by macro-scale arable land evolution and climate change has not yet been developed.In this study,we constructed a Grey Prediction Model-Future Land Use Simulation(GM-FLUS),which combined land system evolution with climate change data,to simulate changes in China’s land system over the next 40 years.We improved the Global Agro-Ecological Zone(GAEZ)model,estimated China’s potential rice yields and their spatial distribution in the next 40 years under four scenarios(shared socioeconomic pathway SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,SSP3-7.0,and SSP5-8.5)of the Sixth International Coupling Model Intercomparison Project,analysed the spatiotemporal variations in the potential rice yields and their drivers,and provided appropriate suggestions for increasing rice yields.The simulation results indicated an increase in China’s potential rice yields during 2020–2060 under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP3-7.0 scenarios and a decrease under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios.Moreover,China’s development strategy of“achieving carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060”was similar to the SSP1-2.6 scenario,under which rice yields were relatively stable.Furthermore,under China’s arable land protection policy,China’s paddy field area will change slightly during 2020–2060,and potential rice yields will be influenced by climate.Under the four climate change scenarios,air temperature increased and was negatively correlated with potential rice yields in main rice-producing regions.Additionally,potential rice yields were positively correlated with precipitation,which increased stably under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP3-7.0scenarios and decreased under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios.These results suggest that the development of heat-resistant rice varieties and the implementation of measures that will mitigate the impacts of future temperature increases on rice yields are important for the conservation of paddy fields.Additionally,improving irrigation and drainage facilities is necessary to irrigate drought-prone paddy fields and drain flooded water.

Regulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and grain quality in early-season indica fragrant rice by nitrogen and silicon fertilization under different plantation methods

Fragrant rice has a high market value,and it is a popular rice type among consumers owing to its pleasant flavor.Plantation methods,nitrogen(N)fertilizers,and silicon(Si)fertilizers can affect the grain yield and fragrance of fragrant rice.However,the core commercial rice production attributes,namely the head rice yield(HRY)and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline(2-AP)content of fragrant rice,under various nitrogen and silicon(N-Si)fertilization levels and different plantation methods remain unknown.The field experiment in this study was performed in the early seasons of 2018 and 2019 with two popular indica fragrant rice cultivars(Yuxiangyouzhan and Xiangyaxiangzhan).They were grown under six N-Si fertilization treatments(combinations of two levels of Si fertilizer,0 kg Si ha^(−1)(Si0)and 150 kg Si ha^(−1)(Si1),and three levels of N fertilizer,0 kg N ha^(−1)(N0),150 kg N ha^(−1)(N1),and 220 kg N ha^(−1)(N2))and three plantation methods(artificial transplanting(AT),mechanical transplanting(MT),and mechanical direct-seeding(MD)).The results showed that the N-Si fertilization treatments and all the plantation methods significantly affected the HRY and 2-AP content and related parameters of the two different fragrant rice cultivars.Compared with the Si0N0 treatment,the N-Si fertilization treatments resulted in higher HRY and 2-AP contents.The rates of brown rice,milled rice,head rice,and chalky rice of the fragrant rice also improved with the N-Si fertilization treatments.The N-Si fertilization treatments increased the activities of N metabolism enzymes and the accumulation of N and Si in various parts of the fragrant rice,and affected their antioxidant response parameters.The key parameters for the HRY and 2-AP content were assessed by redundancy analysis.Furthermore,the structural equation model revealed that the Si and N accumulation levels indirectly affected the HRY by affecting the N metabolism enzyme activity,N use efficiency,and grain quality of fragrant rice.Moreover,high N and Si accumulation directly promoted the 2-AP content or affected the antioxidant response parameters and indirectly regulated 2-AP synthesis.The interactions of the MT method with the N-Si fertilization treatments varied in the fragrant rice cultivars in terms of the HRY and 2-AP content,whereas the MD method was beneficial to the 2-AP content in both fragrant rice cultivars under the N-Si fertilization treatments.

Improvement of soil fertility and rice yield after long-term application of cow manure combined with inorganic fertilizers

Fertilization is an effective technique to improve soil fertility and increase crop yield.The long-term effects of different fertilizers on soil considerably vary.Over 38 consecutive years of different fertilization positioning experiments in a double cropping rice field of Qiyang Red Soil Experimental Station,seven different fertilization treatments including CK(no fertilization),NPK(nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium fertilizer),M(cow manure),NPKM(nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium with cow manure),NPM(nitrogen and phosphorus with cow manure),NKM(nitrogen and potassium with cow manure),and PKM(phosphorus and potassium with cow manure)were applied to study the effects on rice yield,soil fertility,and nutrient apparent balance in a paddy field.The results showed that the annual average yields of rice in NPKM,NPM,NKM,PKM,M,NPK and CK treatments ranged from 6214 to 11562 kg ha-1.Yields under long-term organic and inorganic treatments(NPKM,NPM,NKM and PKM)were 22.58,15.35,10.53 and 4.41%,respectively,greater than under the NPK treatment.Soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN)and available potassium(AK)concentration with long-term organic and inorganic treatment(NPKM,NPM,NKM and PKM)were significantly higher than in inorganic fertilizer(NPK)treatments.Soil total phosphorus(TP)and available phosphorus(AP)contentration with organic fertilizer combined with inorganic N and P fertilizer treatment(NPKM,NPM and PKM)were significantly higher than with inorganic fertilizer alone(NPK treatments).The average annual rice yield(11562 kg ha-1),SOC(20.88 g kg-1),TN(2.30 g kg-1),TP(0.95 g kg-1),TK(22.50 g kg-1)and AP(38.94 mg kg-1)concentrations were the highest in the NPKM treatment.The soil AN concentration(152.40 mg kg-1)and AK contentration(151.00 mg kg-1)were the highest in the NKM treatment.N and P application led to a surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil,but NPKM treatment effectively reduced the surplus compared with other treatments.Soils under all treatments were deficient in potassium.Correlation analysis showed that SOC,TN,AN,TP,and AP contentration was significantly correlated with rice yield;the correlation coefficients were 0.428,0.496,0.518,0.501,and 0.438,respectively.This study showed that the combined application of N,P,and K with cow manure had important effects on rice yield and soil fertility,but balanced application of N,P,and K with cow manure was required.

Remote sensing-based estimation of rice yields using various models:A critical review

Reliable estimation of region-wide rice yield is vital for food security and agricultural management.Field-scale models have increased our understanding of rice yield and its estimation under theoretical environmental conditions.However,they offer little infor-mation on spatial variability effects on farm-scale yield.Remote Sensing(RS)is a useful tool to upscale yield estimates from farm scales to regional levels.Much research used RS with rice models for reliable yield estimation.As several countries start to operatio-nalize rice monitoring systems,it is needed to synthesize current literature to identify knowledge gaps,to improve estimation accuracies,and to optimize processing.This paper critically reviewed significant developments in using geospatial methods,imagery,and quantitative models to estimate rice yield.First,essential characteristics of rice were discussed as detected by optical and radar sensors,band selection,sensor configuration,spatial resolution,mapping methods,and biophysical variables of rice derivable from RS data.Second,various empirical,process-based,and semi-empirical models that used RS data for spatial estimation of yield were critically assessed-discussing how major types of models,RS platforms,data assimilation algorithms,canopy state variables,and RS variables can be integrated for yield estimation.Lastly,to overcome current constraints and to improve accuracies,several possibilities were suggested-adding new modeling modules,using alternative canopy variables,and adopting novel modeling approaches.As rice yields are expected to decrease due to global warming,geospatial rice yield estimation techniques are indispensable tools for climate change assessments.Future studies should focus on resolving the current limitations of estimation by precise delineation of rice cultivars,by incorporating dynamic harvesting indices based on climatic drivers,using innovative modeling approaches with machine learning.

IMPACTS OF OZONE CONCENTRATION AND EXPOSURE TIME CHANGES ON RICE YIELDS

The impacts of O_3 concentration change on rice yields for different lengths of exposure time are studied by means of the OTC-1 open-top chamber.The resuhs indicate that when O_3 concentration increased from 50 ppb to 200 ppb during the time period of 20 to 80 days in the experiment,the rice yield was reduced by 6.78% to 33.72%.Two main influencing factors for rice yields are the increased O_3 concentration and the extended exposure time.Using a logarithm function to simulate the impacts of O_3 concentration on rice yields is better than using a the Weibull function.

Relationship Between Degree of Starch Gelatinization and Quality Attributes of Parboiled Rice During Steaming

Paddy rice samples were parboiled by soaking at 65℃ for 180 min and steaming at 96℃ for 2–10 min,and then dried to achieve the final moisture content of 11% ± 1%. The degree of starch gelatinization （DSG） andseveral quality attributes （head rice yield （HRY）, color value and hardness） of parboiled rice were measured.Results showed that DSG （46.8%–77.9%）, color value （18.08–19.04） and hardness （118.6–219.2 N） allincreased following steaming. In contrast, the HRY increased （64.8%–67.1%） for steaming times between 2–4min but decreased （67.1%–65.0%） for steaming times between 4–10 min. Linear relations between DSG andcolor value （R2 = 0.87）, and DSG and hardness （R2 = 0.88） were observed. The suitable DSG of parboiled riceleading to the highest HRY was found to be 62.5%, obtained following 4 min of steaming.

Effects of straw and biochar addition on soil nitrogen,carbon,and super rice yield in cold waterlogged paddy soils of North China

The additions of straw and biochar have been suggested to increase soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and crop produc- tivity of agricultural lands. To our knowledge, there is little information on the effects of straw and biochar addition on soil nitrogen form, carbon storage, and super rice yield in cold waterlogged paddy soils. We performed field trials with four treatments including conventional fertilization system （CK）, straw amendment 6 t ha^-1 （S）, biochar amendment 2 t ha^-1 （C1）, and biochar amendment 40 t ha^-1 （C2）. The super japonica rice variety, Shennong 265, was selected as the test Crop. The results showed that the straw and biochar amendments improved total nitrogen and organic carbon content of the soil, reduced N2O emissions, and had little influence on nitrogen retention, nitrogen density, and CO2 emissions. The S and C1 increased NH4^＋-N content, and C2 increased NO3^--N content. Both S and C1 had little influence on soil organic carbon density （SOCD） and C/N ratio. However, C2 greatly increased SOCD and C/N ratio. C1 and C2 significantly improved the soil carbon sequestration （SCS） by 62.9 and 214.0% （P〈0.05）, respectively, while S had no influence on SCS. C1 and C2 maintained the stability of super rice yield, and significantly reduced CH4 emissions, global warming potential （GWP）, and greenhouse gas intensity （GHGI）, whereas S had the opposite and negative effects. In summary, the biochar amendments in cold waterlogged paddy soils of North China increased soil nitrogen and carbon content, improved soil carbon sequestration, and reduced GHG emission without affecting the yield of super rice.

Impacts of Climate Change on Rice Yield in China From 1961 to 2010 Based on Provincial Data

The impacts of climate change on rice yield in China from 1961 to 2010 were studied in this paper, based on the provincial data, in order to develop scientiifc countermeasures. The results indicated that increase of average temperature improved single cropping rice production on national level by up to 11%relative to the average over the study period, however, it resulted in an overall loss of double cropping rice by up to 1.9%. The decrease of diurnal temperature range （DTR） in the major producing regions caused the decrease by up to 3.0%for single cropping rice production and 2.0%for double cropping rice production. Moreover, the contribution of precipitation change reached about 6.2%for single cropping rice production, but no signiifcant effect for double cropping rice production in recent 50 years.

Discrepancy in Response of Rice Yield and Soil Fertility to Long-Term Chemical Fertilization and Organic Amendments in Paddy Soils Cultivated from Infertile Upland in Subtropical China

From 1990,over 17 years field experiment was carried out in paddy field cultivated from infertile upland to evaluate the response of rice productivity,soil organic carbon（SOC）,and total N to long-term NPK fertilization or NPK combined with organic amendments.The field trials included NPK（N,P,K fertilizer）,NPKRS（NPK combined with rice straw）,NPK2RS（NPK combined with double amount of rice straw）,NPKPM（NPK combined with pig manure） and NPKGM（NPK combined with green manure） and the cropping system was rice-rice（Oryza sativa L.） rotation.Annual rice yield,straw biomass,and harvesting index increased steadily with cultivation time in all treatments.Average annual rice yield from 1991 to 2006 was ranged from 7 795 to 8 572 kg ha-1 among treatments.Rice yields in treatments with organic amendments were usually higher than that in treatment with NPK.Contents of SOC and total N also increased gradually in the cultivation years and reached the level of 7.82 to 9.45 and 0.85 to 1.03 g kg-1,respectively,in 2006.Soil fertilities in treatments with chemical fertilization combined with organic amendments were relatively appropriate than those in treatment with NPK.There was obvious discrepancy between cumulative characters of rice yield and soil organic fertility in newly formed paddy field.Compared with relatively high rate of crop productivity improvement,cumulative rates of SOC and total N were much lower in our study.SOC and total N contents were still less than half of those in local highly productive paddy soils after 17 years cultivation in subtropical China.Present work helps to better understand the development of infertile paddy soils and to estimate the potential of yield improvement in this region.

Effects of temperature and solar radiation on yield of good eating-quality rice in the lower reaches of the Huai River Basin,China

We studied the effects of temperature and solar radiation on rice yield with the aim of understanding the temperature and solar radiation requirements for high yield rice production in the lower reaches of the Huai River,China.Field experiments were conducted with two medium-maturing japonica rice(MMJR)varieties and four late-maturing japonica rice(LMJR)varieties in 2017 and 2018.Seeds were sown on May 10(T1),May 17(T2),May 24(T3),May 31(T4),June 7(T5),June 14(T6),and June 21(T7).The whole growth duration(WGD)of rice was shortened when sowing date was delayed,especially for the duration from sowing to heading(S–H).The effective accumulated temperature(EAT),mean daily temperature(Tmean),cumulative solar radiation(CSR),and mean daily solar radiation(Rmean)over the WGD decreased when sowing date was delayed.Compared with T1,yields in T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,and T7 decreased by 0.12–0.35,0.45–0.89,0.74–1.56,1.41–2.24,2.16–2.90,and 2.69–3.64 t ha^(-1),respectively.There was a significant positive correlation between rice yield and EAT in different growth stages.Temperature was the main factor that affected the yield of good eating-quality rice in the lower reaches of the Huai River.We found that a relatively high yield can be obtained when the optimal Tmean for medium-maturing japonica rice(MMJR)and late-maturing japonica rice(LMJR)was 25.8–27.0℃and 26.6–27.1℃in the stages from sowing to heading(S–H),and 20.3–23.3℃and 20.3–22.1℃in the stages from heading to maturity(H–M),respectively.The optimal sowing dates for MMJR and LMJR in the lower reaches of the Huai River were May 15–31 and May 15–18,respectively.

Effects of nitrogen application rate and hill density on rice yield and nitrogen utilization in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields

Soil salinity and alkalinity can inhibit crop growth and reduce yield,and this has become a global environmental concern.Combined changes in nitrogen (N) application and hill density can improve rice yields in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields and protect the environment.We investigated the interactive effects of N application rate and hill density on rice yield and N accumulation,translocation and utilization in two field experiments during 2018 and 2019 in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields.Five N application rates (0 (control),90,120,150,and 180 kg N ha^(-1) (N0–N4),respectively) and three hill densities(achieved by altering the distance between hills,in rows spaced 30 cm apart:16.5 cm (D1),13.3 cm (D2) and 10 cm (D3))were utilized in a split-plot design with three replicates.Nitrogen application rate and hill density significantly affected grain yield.The mathematical model of quadratic saturated D-optimal design showed that with an N application rate in the range of 0–180 kg N ha^(-1),the highest yield was obtained at 142.61 kg N ha^(-1) which matched with a planting density of 33.3×10^(4) ha^(-1).Higher grain yield was mainly attributed to the increase in panicles m^(–2).Nitrogen application rate and hill density significantly affected N accumulation in the aboveground parts of rice plants and showed a highly significant positive correlation with grain yield at maturity.From full heading to maturity,the average N loss rate of the aboveground parts of rice plants in N4 was 70.21% higher than that of N3.This is one of the reasons why the yield of N4 treatment is lower than that of the N3 treatment.Nitrogen accumulation rates in the aboveground parts under treatment N3 (150 kg N ha^(-1)) were 81.68 and 106.07% higher in 2018 and 2019,respectively,than those in the control.The N translocation and N translocation contribution rates increased with the increase in the N application rate and hill density,whereas N productivity of dry matter and grain first increased and then decreased with the increase in N application rate and hill density.Agronomic N-use efficiency decreased with an increase in N application rate,whereas hill density did not significantly affect it.Nitrogen productivity of dry matter and grain,and agronomic N-use efficiency,were negatively correlated with grain yield.Thus,rice yield in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields can be improved by combined changes in the N application rate and hill density to promote aboveground N accumulation.Our study provides novel evidence regarding optimal N application rates and hill densities for sodic saline–alkaline rice paddies.

Long-term straw incorporation increases rice yield stability under high fertilization level conditions in the rice–wheat system

Straw incorporation is a global common practice to improve soil fertility and rice yield.However,the effect of straw incorporation on rice yield stability is still unknown,especially under high fertilization level conditions.Here,we reported the effect of straw returning on rice yield and yield stability under high fertilization levels in the rice–wheat system over nine years.The results showed that straw incorporation did not significantly affect the average rice yield of nine years.Straw incorporation reduced the coefficient of variation of rice yield by 25.8%and increased the sustainable yield index by 8.2%.The rice yield positively correlated with mean photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of rice growth season and the effects of straw incorporation on rice yield depended on the PAR.Straw incorporation increased the rice yield by 5.4%in the low PAR years,whereas it did not affect the rice yield in the high PAR years.Long-term straw incorporation lowered soil bulk density but improved the soil organic matter,total N,available N,available P,and available K more strongly than straw removal.Our findings suggest that straw incorporation can increase rice yield stability through improving the resistance of rice plant growth to low PAR.

Effects of nitrogen management on the ratoon crop yield and head rice yield in South USA

Ratoon rice cropping is an important component of the rice cropping system in Texas and south Louisiana,USA,and expanded to Asian countries in 1970.Two field studies were conducted with widely planted rice(Oryza sativa L.)cultivars at Eagle Lake,Texas,USA to determine the effects of nitrogen(N)management in main(first)crop(MC)and ratoon(second)crop(RC)on RC yield.In 2012 and 2013,one cultivar(Presidio)was adopted to determine the effects of RC N management on ratoon yield and head rice yield.In 2016 and 2017,CL153,CL163 and CL272 in addition to Presidio were adopted to examine the effect of MC N management on ratoon yield and head rice yield.N applied at preflood after MC harvest considerably improved RC yield.Application of 99 kg N ha^(–1)at preflood after MC harvest was practically adequate for RC regrowth,development and approaching the yield potential for Presidio.RC could produce quite high average grain yields of 5.90 to 6.53 t ha–1 in 2012 and 2013,respectively.Main crop N rate only significantly affected MC yield;however,given N applied of 99 kg ha^(–1)at preflood after MC harvest,ratoon yield was not significantly affected by MC N rate.Neither the main nor ratoon crop N management had a significant effect on RC head rice yield.Considerable RC head rice yields(55–65%)were observed in all of the four cultivars and 4 years except for CL272 in 2016.These results indicat that without very high N fertilizer application,rice ratoon crop could produce a considerable grain yield and an expectative head rice yield.Rice ratooning could be a practical way to increase rice yields with the minimal input in south Texas and regions with a similar climate.

Effects of different types of slow-and controlled-release fertilizers on rice yield

This experiment explored the effects of single application of seven types of slow-and controlled-release fertilizers on rice yield and various population characteristics.Based on a study of the nitrogen(N)release characteristics of these fertilizers,pot experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 with split fertilization(CK,urea applied split equally at basal and panicle initiation stages,respectively)as control,which assessed the effects on SPAD value,yield and yield components,dynamic changes of rice tillers and dry matter accumulation.The results showed that the N release characteristics of different types of slow-and controlled-release fertilizers were significantly different.Polymer-coated urea(PCU)showed a controlledrelease mode and provided sustained release throughout the whole growth stages.Sulfur-coated urea(SCU)exhibited a slow-release mode,providing insufficient release at the middle and late stages.Urease inhibitor urea(AHA)and ureaformaldehyde(UF)yielded a rapid-release mode,with an explosive N release at the early stage and no release at the middle and late stages.These results showed that PCU delayed the peak seedling stage.Compared with CK,dry matter accumulation and SPAD showed no significant differences,and due to the continuous release of N throughout the growth stages,rice yield,spikelets per panicle,seed setting rate,and 1000-grain weight were all increased.Owing to the lack of N supply at the late stage and the low number of spikelets,SCU led to a reduction of rice yield,which is nevertheless not statistically significant.AHA and UF were susceptible to environmental factors and had varying effects on rice yield.The results of this experiment indicated that given a fixed amount of N applied in a pot,the stronger the N supply capacity and the longer the effective duration time of the fertilizer,the higher the dry matter accumulation at the late growth stage,and the higher the rice yield.

Review grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in rice production regions in China

As one of the staple food crops, rice（Oryza sativa L.） is widely cultivated across China, which plays a critical role in guaranteeing national food security. Most previous studies on grain yield or/and nitrogen use efficiency（NUE） of rice in China often involved site-specific field experiments, or small regions with insufficient data, which limited the representation for the current rice production regions. In this study, a database covering a wide range of climate conditions, soil types and field managements across China, was developed to estimate rice grain yield and NUE in various rice production regions in China and to evaluate the relationships between N rates and grain yield, NUE. According to the database for rice, the values of grain yield, plant N accumulation, N harvest index（HIN）, indigenous N supply（INS）, internal N efficiency（IE_N）, reciprocal internal N efficiency（RIE_N）, agronomic N use efficiency（AE_N）, partial N factor productivity（PEPN）, physiological N efficiency（PE_N）, and recover efficiency of applied N（RE_N） averaged 7.69 t ha^（–1）, 152 kg ha^（–1）, 0.64 kg kg^（–1）, 94.1 kg kg^（–1）, 53.9 kg kg^（–1）, 1.98 kg kg^（–1）, 12.6 kg kg^（–1）, 48.6 kg kg^（–1）, 33.8 kg kg^（–1）, and 39.3%, respectively. However, the corresponding values all varied tremendously with large variation. Rice planting regions and N rates had significant influence on grain yield, N uptake and NUE values. Considering all observations, N rates of 200 to 250 kg ha^（–1） commonly achieved higher rice grain yield compared to less than 200 kg N ha^（–1） and more than 250 kg N ha^（–1） at most rice planting regions. At N rates of 200 to 250 kg ha^（–1）, significant positive linear relationships were observed between rice grain yield and AE_N, PE_N, RE_N, IE_N, and PFPN, and 46.49, 24.64, 7.94, 17.84, and 88.24% of the variation in AE_N, PE_N, RE_N, IE_N, and PFPN could be explained by grain yield, respectively. In conclusion, in a reasonable range of N application, an increase in grain yield can be achieved accompanying by an acceptable NUE.

Effects of Microbial Inoculants on Nutrient Availability and Rice Yield

Under field conditions, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of ammonification bacteria, potassium bacteria and phosphorus bacteria on nutrient availability in soil and yield of rice in the cold region of China and compared to the conventional fertilization. Results showed that DF1P2 treatment （ammonifiers 1.5× 108 cfu· m2, phosphorus bacteria 1.5× 108 cfu. m2, and potassium bacteria 1.5× 108 cfu· m2） increased available nutrient concentrations in soil, increased the concentrations of N, P, and K in plant organs and increased the rice yield and was the most significantly among all the treatments. This treatment could be recommended as the best suitable biological fertilizer application rate for the rice production in the cold region of China.

Co-application of compost or inorganic NPK fertilizer with biochar influences soil quality,grain yield and net income of rice

Most agricultural soils in sub-Saharan Africa are degraded,compromising the grain yield of rice and farmers return on investment.A 3-year field study was undertaken to explore the effect of the application of compost or inorganic NPK fertilizer applied alone or in combination with biochar on soil quality,grain yield of rice and net income.The five treatments were laid out using a randomized complete block design with four replications.The treatments were applied to supply approximately 75 kg N ha–1.The best fertilizer input was compost+biochar which resulted in the greatest improvement in soil physico-chemical properties by reducing bulk density and increasing porosity and moisture retention,organic matter content,percent nitrogen,available phosphorus and cation exchange capacity.Apart from treatment with inorganic fertilizer alone,treated soils showed a decrease in pH.Bacterial and fungal counts and basal respiration decreased in soils in the following order:compost+biochar>compost only>inorganic NPK fertilizer+biochar>inorganic NPK fertilizer>control.The increase in pooled grain yield and net income in response to treatment followed the order:compost+biochar>NPK+biochar>NPK>compost>control.The findings suggest that the use of compost or NPK alone might improve soil quality and increase grain yield and net income,but it is greatly recommended to co-apply these fertilisers with biochar.

Water Management for Improvement of Rice Yield,Appearance Quality and Palatability with High Temperature During Ripening Period

To clarify the optimal water management in large-scale fields under high temperatures at the ripening period,effective water managements during this period for improvement of yield,appearance quality and palatability were investigated.Compared with intermittent irrigation and flooded irrigation,the soil temperature with saturated irrigation remained low throughout the day,and the decrease rate of the bleeding rate of hills was the lowest.These results suggested that the saturated irrigation maintained root activity.For the three irrigation types,the number of spikelets per m2 and 1000-grain weight were similar,however,saturated irrigation resulted in significantly higher rice yield due to improvement in the percentage of ripened grains.The saturated irrigation produced a high percentage of perfect rice grains and thicker brown rice grain,furthermore,the palatability of cooked rice was excellent because protein content and hardness/adhesion ratio were both low.Thus,under high-temperature ripening conditions,soil temperature was lowered and root activity was maintained when applying saturated irrigation after heading time.The results indicated that saturated irrigation is an effective countermeasure against high-temperature ripening damage.

Influence of Moisture Content,Variety and Parboiling on Milling Quality of Rice Grains

The effects of moisture content （8%, 10%and 12%）, variety （Tarom and Fajr） and parboiling on milling quality of rice as a function of milling recovery （MR）, head rice yield （HRY）, degree of milling （DOM） and whiteness were investigated. The parboiled grains was prepared with three soaking temperatures of 25 oC, 50 oC and 75 oC and three steaming times of 10, 15 and 20 min. As a result of parboiling, the increasing rates of MR and HRY values were 7.8%and 14.3%for Tarom and 9.8%and 10.0%for Fajr, respectively, and the decreasing rates for DOM and whiteness were 6.6%and 10.8%for Tarom and 6.8% and 10.5% for Fajr, respectively. Moreover, decreasing moisture content to 8%maximized MR （75.8% for Tarom and 74.3% for Fajr） and HRY （65.8% for Tarom and 57.0% for Fajr） while increasing that to 12%revealed maximum values of DOM （6.1%for Tarom and 6.2%for Fajr） and whiteness （24.8%for Tarom and 28.2%for Fajr）.