Characterization of Leaf Photosynthetic Properties for No-Tillage Rice

A study was conducted to determine the influence of no-tillage cultivation on leaf photosynthesis of rice plants under field conditions. Experiments with the treatments, no-tillage and conventional tillage were carried out at three locations （Jiaxing, Hangzhou and Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, China） for two years （2005 and 2006）. Grain yield was constant in Jiaxing, but slightly higher in Hangzhou and Xiaoshan under no-tillage cultivation than that under conventional cultivation. In comparison with the conventional cultivation, no-tillage cultivation showed less biomass accumulation before heading and higher capacity of matter production during grain filling. A significantly higher leaf net photosynthetic rate was observed for the plants under no-tillage than for those under conventional tillage. The fluorescence parameter （Fv/Fm） in leaf did not show any difference between the two cultivations. The effect of cultivation management on transpiration rate （Tr） and SPAD value of rice leaf was dependent on the location and year.

Growth Characteristics and Yield of Late-Season Rice under No-tillage and Non-flooded Cultivation with Straw Mulching

A long-term field experiment （started at 2003） was conducted to determine the effects of different dce cultivation methods on growth characteristics and grain yield of late-season rice under double-rice cropping system in seasonal drought region of southeast China （Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province）. The rice cultivation methods included no-tillage and flooded rice cultivation （N-F）, no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation with straw mulching （N-SM）, and no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation without straw mulching （N-ZM）. There was no significant difference in rice grain yield between the N-SM and N-F treatments. However, the rice grain yields in the N-SM and N-F treatments were significantly higher than that in the N-ZM treatment. The late-season rice plants in the N-SM treatment had significantly higher numbers of effective panicles and total grains per hill compared with those in the N-ZM treatment. The above-ground dry matter of late-season rice was similar between the N-SM and N-F treatments. Compared with the N-F treatment, the N-ZM and N-SM treatments significantly decreased the leaf area at the heading stage. Moreover, the N-SM treatment could significantly increase total root length and root tip number at the grain-filling stage compared with the N-ZM treatment.

Long-Term No-Tillage Direct Seeding Mode for Water-Saving and Drought-Resistance Rice Production in Rice-Rapeseed Rotation System

To study the effects of long-term no-tillage direct seeding mode on rice yield and the soil physiochemical property in a rice-rapeseed rotation system, a comparative experiment with a water-saving and drought-resistance rice （WDR） variety and a double low rapeseed variety as materials was conducted under no-tillage direct seeding （NTDS） mode and conventional tillage direct seeding （CTDS） mode for four years, using the CTDS mode as the control. Compared with the CTDS mode, the actual rice yield of WDR decreased by 8.10% at the first year, whereas the plant height, spikelet number per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, actual yield, and harvest index increased with no-tillage years, which led to the actual yield increase by 6.49% at the fourth year. Correlation analysis showed that the panicle length was significantly related to the actual yield of WDR. Compared with the CTDS mode in terms of the soil properties, the pH value of the NTDS mode decreased every year, whereas the contents of soil organic matter and total N of the NTDS mode increased. In the 0-5 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the soil bulk decreased, whereas the contents of soil organic matter, total N, and available N increased. In the 5-20 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the available N and K decreased, whereas the soil bulk, contents of soil organic matter, and total N increased. In summary, the NTDS mode increased the rice yield, and could improve the paddy soil fertility of the top layer.

No-tillage effects on grain yield and nitrogen requirements in hybrid rice transplanted with single seedlings: Results of a long-term experiment

This study was conducted to determine whether,and if so how,the grain yield and nitrogen(N) requirements of hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings are affected by no-tillage(NT) practices.A fixed field experiment was done at the Experimental Farm of Hunan Agricultural University in Changsha,Hunan Province,China,from 2004 to 2014.Grain yield and yield attributes(panicle number per m2,spikelet number per panicle,spikelet filling percentage,grain weight,total biomass,and harvest index) were evaluated as well as the N-use characteristics(total N uptake,internal N-use efficiency,and N requirements) of hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings comparing NT with conventional tillage(CT).A significant finding was that there were no significant differences in grain yield,yield attributes,and N-use characteristics between CT and NT.Averaged across the 11 years,grain yield and N requirements were 9.51 t ha^(-1) and 20.2 kg t^(-1) under CT and 9.33 t ha^(-1) and 20.0 kg t^(-1) under NT,respectively.There were significant yearly variations in grain yield,yield attributes,and N-use characteristics observed under both CT and NT.The yearly variation in grain yield was related to simultaneous changes in spikelet number per panicle,grain weight,total biomass,and harvest index.Also,it was found that grain yield was positively correlated with internal N-use efficiency but negatively correlated with N requirements.It is concluded that grain yield and N requirements in hybrid rice when transplanted as single seedlings are not affected adversely by NT.The results of this study suggest that(1) compatible relationships among yield attributes can be established in hybrid rice that is transplanted as single seedlings,and(2) higher grain yield and higher N-use efficiency can be concurrently achieved in hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings.

Physiological Mechanism of High and Stable Yield of No-tillage Cast-transplanted Rice

Four years' successive comparative experiments showed that no-tillage cast-transplanted rice (NTCTR), compared with conventional tillage cast-transplanted rice (CK), grew slower and produced less tillers at the early growing stage; but, it had shorter ineffective tillering time, less nutrition consumption, stronger individual growth and more uniform growth between individuals and the colony. These characteristics contribute to the increase not only in the productive tiller percentage but also in the ear quality. Furthermore, the flag leaf of NTCTR had higher photosynthetic rate during the filling stage and no early senescence phenomenon at the late stage, which facilitated the accumulation and the transportation of carbohydrates and improved grain setting rate.

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 Tiller-inhibitor on Growth and Yield Formation of Super Early Hybrid Rice Jinyou458

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of tiller-inhibitor on the growth and yield formation of super early rice Jinyou 458.[Method] Two treatments including spraying tiller-inhibitor（TI） and spraying water（CK） at the SN-n stage were set in the test,the effect of tiller-inhibitor on yield and its components,leaf and plant morphology,field microclimate at booting stage and quality characteristics of rice population were studied.[Result] Spraying tiller-inhibitor could effectively reduce the occurrence of invalid and inefficient tillers,increase the proportion of high effective tillers（tiller with 4 or more leaves） in tiller composition at the maximal tiller stage.The panicle length,spikelets per panicle,spikelets density,number of secondary branches and the secondary spikelets,seed setting rate of rice plant sprayed with tiller-inhibitor were significantly higher than CK.Meanwhile,spraying tiller-inhibitor could increase plant height,biomass weight and leaf area index of rice population during middle and late stages of rice growing,improve the leaf temperature of top three leaves and the light transmittance of rice population at the booting stage,increase the leaf SPAD value,thus enhance photosynthetic capacity of rice plants.It also showed the characteristics of elongating the internode of rice plant and decreasing the stem thickness,etc.[Conclusion] The panicle-bearing rate of stems and tillers,effective panicles,spikelets per panicle,seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight had coordinately increased after spraying tiller-inhibitor,thus increased the yield.

Study on Contribution of Potassium,Nitrogen and Organic Fertilizer to Farmers' Super Rice Production Economy——Based on Empirical Study of 690 Rice Farmers in Eight Counties in Liaoning,Zhejiang and Hunan Province

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the contribution of potassium,nitrogen and organic fertilizer to super rice production.[Method] The data about the labor force input,fertilizer input,organic fertilizer input,contents of effective nitrogen and effective potassium in production,obtained through empirical study of 690 rice farmers in eight counties （cities） in Liaoning,Zhejiang and Hunan in 2009,were analyzed by using Cobb-Douglas production function model to study influence of material input （especially the fertilizer input） and labor force input to the yield of super rice,and the correlation between the input and the yield of rice production.[Result] The increase in amount of organic fertilizer has significantly increased the yield of super rice.The amount of chemical fertilizer applied is becoming more reasonable,but increase of yield does not result in increase of value.Different types of fertilizers have significantly different capabilities in increasing yields of super rice.The potassium fertilizer is superior to phosphorous fertilizer,while phosphorous is superior to nitrogenous fertilizer in improving production capacity.[Conclusion] The paper suggests that it should continue to increase the amount of organic fertilizers and potassium fertilizer and meanwhile control the amount of nitrogenous fertilizer in super rice production at present.

Effects of Ratio of Row Spacing to Intrarow Spacing on Yield and Top Three Leaves of Super High-yielding Early and Late Rice

Using a split plot design, super high-yielding early rice ＆quot;Zhongjiazao 17＆quot;and ＆quot;Ganxin 203＆quot; and super high-yielding late rice ＆quot;Ganxin 688＆quot; and ＆quot;Wufengy-ouT025＆quot; were taken as materials with planting density the same at 312 000 hil s/hm2, to explore the effects of RS/IS （Ratio of row spacing to intrarow row spacing） on yield, top three leaves morphological features and its relationship of them in 2011 and 2012. The results showed that, whether early or late rice, biomass, accumula-tion and apparent utilizing rate of nitrogen were lower in RS/IS5.0 （40.0 cm ＆#215;8.0 cm） treatment, but yield of rice was higher in RS/IS2.0 （25.0 cm ＆#215;12.8 cm） treatment;grain numbers per spike of rice was more in RS/IS2.8 （30.0 cm＆#215;10.7 cm） treatment, and thousand-grain weight of rice was higher in RS/IS1.3 （20.0 cm＆#215;16.0 cm） treat-ment. For 4 varieties of early or late rice aforementioned, basal angle, opening an-gle and leaf area of 2nd leaf from top were larger in RS/IS5.0 treatment, and basal angle and opening angle were smal er in RS/IS2.0 treatment and leaf area smal er in RS/IS1.3 treatment.

Dynamic Responses of Super Rice IIyou602 Plants to Different Nitrogen Levels and Configuration Modes

[Objective] The paper was to study the dynamic responses of super rice Ilyou602 plants to different nitrogen levels and configuration modes. [Method] With super rice Ilyou602 as test material, the dynamic changes of total N content in functional leaves, leaf sheaths and stems under different, application amount of nitrogen and configuration modes were analyzed. [Result] The highest total N content of functional leaves under different N levels appeared in the different periods, which was the highest during rehydration period in A3 level. The total N content in various plant positions during full heading stage and maturity stage showed fertilization treatments 〉 CK, functional leaves 〉 leaf sheaths 〉 stems. The total N content in different plant positions showed obvious difference in different treatments. When the super rice Ilyou602 was planted in Chengdu plain, the proper application level of N and configuration mode was as follows： 165 kg/hm2, fertilizer： topdressing = 6：4. [Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for nitrogen regulation of high yield cultivation of super hybrid rice.

Effect of Microbial Inoculum Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Super Hybrid Rice

The research designed four application quantities of 0, 2 250, 4 500 and 6 750 g/hm2 based on Liangyou No. 959 to explore the effects of microbial inocu- lure fertilizer on growth and yield of super hybrid rice. The results indicate that the treatment with traditional fertilizers and 4 500 g/hm2 HYT microbial inoculum fertilizer performed the best, where average number of tiller was 2.4 more than that of the control; the number of effective ear was 11.05% higher; yield increased by 10.3%. These have demonstrated that microbial inoculum fertilizer is of great value in pro- motion on super hybrid rice production.

Research on Economic Impact of Super Rice on Rice Growers and Contribution to Food Security

Super rice is an essendal part of China＇s rice production. Through survey on actual situation of 1568 households of rice growers in Heilongjiang, Hunan and Zhejiang provinces, this paper focused on influence of super rice development on increase of China＇s grain yield, influence on increase of rice growers＇ economic in- come, difference in production cost and profit between the North and the South, as well as profit percentage of super rice in production, processing, and sales. It obtained following results： rice price determines rice growers＇ income; expansion of super rice extension area plays a great role in increase of China＇s grain yield; by 2015 and 2020, keeping the yield of other crops not changed, merely the extension of super rice can increase grain for 5 million tons and 11 million tons separately; super rice significantly increases rice growers＇ economic income; for production cost of super rice, the South is higher than the North, and the profit ratio of cost is up to 35.54% on average; with respect of profit in production, processing, and sales, the ratio is 1：2：1.5; with the yield of other crops unchanged, every increase of 1% in area percentage of super rice to rice will additionally produce 1 million tons of grain for China, which is equivalent to saving the yield of 133 300 hm2 farmland and can additional feed 3.5 million people. In view of importance of super rice production, at the same time of strengthening research on super rice variety, it is required to accelerate expanding production area of super rice in suitable areas. Since the development of super rice can support China＇s ration demand of increasing population, China should make effort to realize ＂one yuan for one mu＂ financial subsidy for super rice of main grain production provinces and counties. Besides, China should establish special financial plan for extension of super rice.

Stem Morphological Structure of Super Hybrid Rice and Its Relationship with Lodging Resistance

The stem morphology and anatomical structure of rice, as well as their relationship with lodging resistance, were studied with six super hybrid rice varieties as the tested materials. The results showed that the rice varieties with stronger lodging resistance were characterized by shorter basal elongated internodes and thicker stem base. The lodging index of hybrid rice was positively correlated with the lengths of the first, second and third basal elongated internodes （P〈0.01） and was negatively correlated with the thickness of basal stem wall and the number and area of small vascular bundles, the area of large vascular bundles and the total area of vascular bundles of the second basal elongated internode （P〈0.05）. The correlations between lodging index and plant height, maximum culm diameter of stem base and minimum culm diameter of stem base were not significant. It indi- cates that the lodging resistance of super hybrid rice can be improved by shorten- ing the length of basal elongated internodes, thickening the wall of stem base and increasing the number and area of vascular bundles of basal elongated internodes.

Properties of Picosecond Fluorescence of Super High-Yield Hybrid Rice

Thylakoid membrane preparations of super high-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.), Liangyoupeijiu (P9) and Shanyou 63 (SH 63) were used for investigating its spectral and time properties by using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectrum measuring system. The thylakoid membrane preparations of P9 and SH 63 were excited by an Ar+ laser with a pulse width of 120 ps, repetition rate of 4 MHz and wavelength of 514 nm. The time constants of the excited energy transfer in these two varieties at flowering stage and grain filling stage were calculated from the experimental data. Based on the comparative studies of the time and spectral properties of the excited fluorescence in these ultrafast dynamic experiments the following was found: at both the flowering stage and grain filling stage, the speed of the excitation energy transfer, in photosystem was faster than that in photosystem II in P9 variety; and the speed of the excitation energy transfer at grain filling stage was faster than those at flowering stage for both rice varieties; the experiments also implied that the components and assembly of pigments in SH 63, but not in P9, changed during the process from flowering stage to grain filling stage for in these two rice varieties.

A Study on the Effects of Oxygenation Irrigation on Some Growth Agronomic Traits of Super Rice Shenyou 9516

In the growing process of rice, roots need aerobic respiration. Oxygenation irrigation means oxygenation in accordance with the demand of crops for oxygen for their growth. This experiment designed three treatments： mechanical oxygenation, chemical oxygenation and conventional irrigation. The mechanical oxygenation group A was divided into 6 small treatment groups and the chemical oxygenation group B was divided into 3 small treatment groups. Each treatment group had 3 replications and the average was used for analysis. Some agronomic traits of the roots and the plants of super rice were examined. The result showed that the two oxygenation treatments significantly promoted the growth of the roots and the plants. In the me- chanical oxygenation group A4, the number of filled grain per panicle was 37.6% higher than that of the conventional treatment group, and the kilo-grain weight was 7.4% higher than that of the conventional treatment group. The study results provide a theoretical basis for the application of oxygenation irrigation to super rice.

Population Construction and Super-high Yield Characteristics of Japonica Super Rice in Cold Regions

[Objective] This study was conducted to construct a super-high yield population of Japnica rice in cold regions of North China and to explore its characteristics. [Method] The super rice variety Longjing 21 was selected as the experimental material. Different row spacing（two levels）, plant spacing（three levels） and seedling number per hill（three levels） were designed in field trials. Then, the growth stages,dry matter accumulation, leaf area, yield and yield components of these different treatments were measured. [Result] Rice yield had significantly negative correlation with plant spacing and row spacing, but no significant correlation with seedling number per hill. Rice yield was mainly affected by plant spacing, and less affected by seedling number per hill. The best recommended specifications for plant spacing of super rice variety Longjing 21 were 24 cm for row spacing, 12 cm for plant spacing and five seedlings per hill, and the expected yield was 10 473.0 kg/hm^2.The increased number of total spikelets（4.5×108hm2or more） in populations was the major reason for high yield. Super-high yield populations had fewer tillers at the early growth stage and achieved the expected number of productive tillers at critical leaf-age（June 25）, and tiller number peaked at jointing stage（July 6） and was about 1.2 times of the expected number. The percentage of productive tillers in total tillers of super-high yield population was more than 85% at heading stage. At middle growth stage（from jointing to heading stage）, the dry matter accumulation, leaf area index（LAI） at heading stage, effective leaf area, spikelet number of population,spikelet number per leaf area unit（cm2）, and culm-sheath weight per stem of super-high yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations.At late growth stage（from heading to maturity stage）, the leaf area decreasing rate of super-high yield population was significantly smaller than that of other populations. At late growth stage（from heading to maturity stage）, the leaf area decreasing rate, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, biomass accumulation, number of filled grains per leaf area unit（cm^2） and grain weight per leaf area unit（cm^2） of high-yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations. Output and translocation of dry matter（weight per stem and sheath and total filling rate at maturity） from heading to milky stage of super-high yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations. [Conclusion] The characteristics of superhigh yield rice in cold region of North China are enriching the amount of actual filling of sink through improving photosynthetic efficiency from heading to maturity stage on the basis of enough panicle numbers.

Prospects for Study on High-yielding Cultivation Techniques of Super Hybrid Rice

Great progresses have been made in super hybrid rice in China. From the perspectives of dry matter production, nutrient absorption, sink and source, pho-tosynthesis, graln fiI ing and roots, the eco-physioIogical characteristics and high-yielding cuItivation techniques of super hybrid rice in China were discussed. In addi-tion, the probIems that restricted the high and stabIe yielding of super hybrid rice were analyzed, and the deveIopment directions of high-yielding cuItivation techniques for super hybrid rice were also discussed.

Effects of Nitrogen Rate on Blast Resistance and Grain Yield of Super Early Hybrid Rice Luliangyou 996

Super early hybrid rice Luliangyou 996 was the materials for this experiment. This paper focused on the influences of different nitrogen rates on blast resistance and grain yield. Studies suggested that with the increase of nitrogen rate,there were no distinct changes in the sick grain rate and sickness index, but the fifth grade of panicle blast rate rose gradually. When the nitrogen was too much（270 kg/hm^2）, the sick grain rate and sickness index were the highest. The yield rose along with the addition of nitrogen if the amount of applied nitrogen was within the range of 0 to 180 kg/hm^2, and the yield would decrease with the addition of nitrogen if the amount of applied nitrogen was over 180 kg/hm^2. Considering the sickness, output and economic benefit of rice, it is better to applied 90 to 135 kg/hm^2 of nitrogen for Luliangyou 996.

Changes in the Activities of C4 Pathway Enzymes and Stable Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Flag Leaves of Super High-yield Hybrid Rice

Activities of several key enzymes of C-4 photosynthesis pathway and stable carbon isotope discrimination were investigated in flag leaves of a super high-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Peiai 64S/E32 and a traditional hybrid rice cv. Shanyou 63 at different developing stages. Results show that the activity of PEP carboxylase (PEPCase) increased with age of flag leave; the activity of NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) increased and reached to a peak value at grain filling stage (68-75 d after transplanting), then fell down; the activity of NADP-MDH in cv. Peiai 64S/E32 was much higher than that in cv. Shanyou 63. Before ripening stage (95 d after transplanting), NADP-malic enzyme activity rose gradually. The level of stable carbon isotope discrimination (Delta(13)C) in flag leaves and grains at different developing stages were similar and exhibited a comparative high value at ripening stage. The average Delta(13)C in leaf of cv. Peiai 64S/E32 during different developing stages was 0.43parts per thousand more than that in cv. Shanyou 63.

Density Restriction Effects of Reproductive Rate of Rice Brown Planthopper Population in Super Rice Yongyou 6

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the density restriction effects of reproductive rate of rice brown planthopper （BPH） population in super indiea and japonica hybrid rice Yongyou 6. [Method] Different amounts of rice brown planthoppor were released to super indiea and japonica hybrid flee Yongyou 6 during fillering, booting and gain filling stage, respectively. The reproductive rate and variation dynamics of rice brown planthoppor in super rice was also investigated and analyzed. [Result] Tillering stage： the population quantity of rice brown planthoppor during booting and gain filling stage gradually increased with the increasing basal amount of its population during tillering stage; when the population density of rice brown planthopper during grain filling stage reached a certain limit （ 〉 250 head/cluster）, the population density during milking stage showed decrease trend with the increasing of such density; the development of rice brown planthoppor population in super rice Yongyou 6 showed the characteristics of fast in middle and slow in two ends. Booting stage： the development of rice brown planthopper pop- ulation from booting to gain filling stage increased with the increasing basal amount of density, and their correlation during milking stage was not significant; flee brown planthopper population still had high reproduction capacity in the middle and late stage of super rice, which had latent risk on rice yield. Gain filling stage ： when population density of rice brown planthopper 〈 70 head/cluster, the development of it population increased with the increase of basal amount of density, which had great threat to yield. [ Conclusion] The result provided theoretical basis for establishment and improvement of monitoring early warning system, cost-ef- fective control of occurrence and damage of rice brown planthopper, and improvement of the sustained control ability against rice brown planthopper.