Plant Ideotype at Heading for Super High-Yielding Rice in Double-Cropping System in South China

The newly released super high-yielding hybrid rice combinations, Yueza 122, Fengyou 428, Peiza 67, and the super high-yielding conventional cultivars, Guangchao 3 and Shengtai 1, were grown in both early and late seasons. The morphological characters of each population were investigated at the heading stage, and the data were analyzed by using ANOVY and other statistic methods. The plant ideal morphological characters at the heading stage were established as follows： 1 ） for the early-season cropping, 90-105 cm plant height; 11-12 tillers per plant; 35-40 em length and 2.1-2.2 cm width of flag leaf; 46-50 cm length and 1.8-2.1 cm width of the second leaf from the top （L2）; 59-64 cm length and 1.4-1.9 cm width of the third leaf from the top （L3）; 7°-14°, 18° and 200-33° for the ideal leaf angles of the flag leaf, L2 and L3, respectively; 2） for the late-season cropping, 90-100 cm plant height; 9-15 tillers per plant; 30-41 cm length and 1.8-2.0 cm width of flag leaf; 53-61 cm length and 1.3-1.8 cm width of L2; 52-58 cm length and 1.2-1.5 cm width of L3; 9°-19°, 15°-37° and 16°-49° for the ideal leaf angles of the flag leaf, L2 and L3, respectively. The main physiological characteristics of these varieties were also analyzed.

Effects of Winter Planting Milk Vetch on Yield and PartialProductivity of Nitrogen Fertilizer of Machine-transplantedDouble-cropping Rice under Straw Returning to the Field

From 2017 to 2018,the effects of winter planting of milk vetch on yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer of machine-transplanted double-cropping rice under straw returning were studied in Ningxiang city,Hunan Province.The results showed that the dry matter accumulation,effective panicle,yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer in the stem,leaf,panicle and aboveground parts of early and late rice treated with winter planting milk vetch and straw returning were signi ficantly higher than those treated with straw returning only.Among them,the effective panicles of early and late rice increased by 2.58%,3.18%(2017)and 5.22%,6.32%(2018),respectively.Yield increased by 11.85%,10.07%(2017)and 12.42%,10.92%(2018),annual partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer increased by 10.90%(2017)and 11.66%(2018),respectively.In conclusion,winter planting milk vetch under straw returning is beneficial to increase dry matter accumulation,rice yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer in mechanized double cropping rice.

Inter-provincial Differences in Rice Multi-cropping Changes in Main Double-cropping Rice Area in China: Evidence from Provinces and Households

Since the early 1980 s, the multi-cropping index for rice has decreased significantly in main double-cropping rice area in China, which is the primary double-cropping rice(DCR) production area. This decline may bring challenges to food security in China because rice is the staple food for more than 60% of the Chinese population. It has been generally recognized that rapidly rising labor costs due to economic growth and urbanization in China is the key driving force of the ‘double-to-single' rice cropping system adaption. However, not all provinces have shown a dramatic decline in DCR area, and labor costs alone cannot explain this difference. To elucidate the reasons for these inter-provincial distinctions and the dynamics of rice cropping system adaption, we evaluated the influencing factors using provincial panel data from 1980 to 2015. We also used household survey data for empirical analysis to explore the mechanisms driving differences in rice multi-cropping changes. Our results indicated that the eight provinces in the study can be divided into three spatial groups based on the extent of DCR area decline, the rapidly-declining marginal, core, and stable zones. Increasing labor cost due to rapid urbanization was the key driving force of rice cropping system adaption, but the land use dynamic vary hugely among different provinces. These differences between zones were due to the interaction between labor price and accumulated temperature conditions. Therefore, increasing labor costs had the greatest impact in Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hubei, where the accumulated temperature is relatively low and rice multi-cropping index declined dramaticly. However, labor costs had little impact in Guangdong and Guangxi. Differences in accumulated temperature conditions resulted in spatially different labor demands and pressure on households during the busy season. As a result, there have been different profits and rice multi-cropping changes between provinces and zones. Because of these spatial differences, regionally appropriate policies that provide appropriate subsidies for early rice in rapidly-declining marginal zone such as Zhejiang and Hubei should be implemented. In addition, agricultural mechanization and the number of agricultural workers have facilitated double-cropping; therefore, small machinery and agricultural infrastructure construction should be further supported.

Study on the Change Character of Double Rice Cold Damage in Hunan and Hubei Province during the Past 50 Years

Based on the meteorological data of representative meteorological stations in Hunan and Hubei from 1961 to 2008 years,the change character of double rice cold damage under the background of climate change were analyzed adopting 30 years glide accumulation method.The analysis showed that the 30 years sliding cumulative days of mild low-temperature during spring sowing in Hunan and Hubei were decreased in the recent 50 years,as well as the 30 years sliding cumulative days of moderate low-temperature in central south Hubei,northern and western Hunan.However,there was an increase in southern Hunan,so was the 30 years sliding cumulative days of severe low-temperature.The 30 years sliding cumulative days of mild low-temperature in May reduced in Hunan and Hubei.Instead,that of moderate low-temperature in May in central south Hubei was on the rise,and it was opposite in northern and southern Hunan,but there was no obvious change in western Hunan.The 30 years sliding cumulative days of severe low-temperature showed a decreasing tendency in May in central south Hubei,northern and western Hunan,and southern Hunan showed a contrary tendency.The 30 years sliding cumulative days of mild cold dew wind in Hunan and Hubei were decreased,that of moderate cold dew wind in central south Hubei,northern and western Hunan had the same tendency,but there was a contrary tendency in southern Hunan.The 30 years sliding cumulative days of severe cold dew wind was decreased in central south Hubei and increased in western Hunan,without cold dew wind in northern and southern Hunan.

Analysis of Optimized NPK Formulation and Topdressing on Increasing Yield in Double Cropping Rice of Hunan

The effect of different formula of NPK and twice topdressings on rice growth in typical double cropping rice area, which located at Kaihui, Ganshan, Matang and Xinqiang towns, were studied on field experiment in order to select the formula of compound fertilizer and top dressing mode for double cropping of rice production in Hunan. The results showed that the optimized formulated fertilizer treatment, which increased the proportion of phosphorus and potassium and reduced its nitrogen fertilizer by 7.5 kg/hm2 can ensure early rice stable. Fpr example, the yield of late rice increased by 187.5-378.0 kg/hm2 compared with the conventional complex fertilizer （N-PO5-K2O formula of 20-10-10 for early rice and 26-10-13 for late rice）. The N-P2O5-K2O formula 18-14-16 of optimized formulated fertilizer which was suitable for early rice production, and the other N-P2O5-K2O formula 18- 9-16 was suitable for late rice production. The rice yields for top-dressing at tiller- ing stage and booting stage can increased by 187.5-382.5 and 258.0-415.5 kg/hm2 for eady and late rice and the nitrogen use efficiency advanced 10.9-24.2 percent- age points （31.5%-51.1%） for eady rice and 8.3-13.4 percentage points （36.2%- 64.9%） for late dce compared with the top-dressing at tillering stage.

Effect of Different Seedling Age on the Growth and Yield of Double Cropping of Late Rice

The study aims to solve the problems of late transplanting rice with differ- ent seedling ages at the lower reaches of Yangtze River. We selected six varieties of different thermal and photo-response characteristics as the test material to study the effect of different seedling ages on growth and yield of rice. The results showed that growing period of thermal-response rice was delayed by long seedling age, but less affected by the impact of photo-response rice; the yield of later thermal-re- sponse varieties with 25 days and 30 days seedling ages was significantly reduced. In contrast, the yield of early thermal-response varieties and later photo-response varieties were significantly reduced with 30 days seedling age. The optimal trans- planting seedling age was 15 days of thermal-response rice, while photo-response rice was 20 days. The thermal-response rice should be selected as early maturing varieties, while the photo-response rice could be selected as late maturing varieties for high yield.

Effect of Continuous Application of Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer in Various Types of Soil in Dong-Ting Lake Region under Double Rice Cropping System

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of continuous application of controlled release nitrogen fertilizer under double rice cropping system. [Method] By modeling three types of paddy soils in Dong-Ting Lake area, four treatments as no fertilizer （CK）, urea, controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （CRNF） and 70% controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （70% CRNF） were designed in the micro-plot trials from 2005 to 2008. [Result] The rice yield in treatment CRNF at N 150 kg/hm2 was increased by 10.3%, 8.0% and 2.4% compared with treatment of urea, in alluvial sandy loamy paddy soil （ALS）, purple calcareous clayey paddy soil （PCS）, and reddish yellow loamy paddy soil （RYS）, respectively; and the yield in treatment of 70% CRNF was increased by 6.1%, 2.6% and -0.8%, respectively. The ranking order of nitrogen uptake amount by plant in early rice and late rice was CRNF 70% CRNF urea CK in all three types of soil. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in above three types of soil was 60.7%, 59.6% and 56.3%, increased by 23.8%, 19.4% and 16.3% compared with that in treatment of urea, respectively. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in early rice was increased year by year, and was higher than that of 70% CRNF during the whole experiment stage, while that in late rice was increased first and then decreased from the 3rd year. [Conclusion] Continuous application CRNF could alleviate the decreasing of soil nitrogen fertility and organic carbon especially in ALS, increase rice yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency in double-rice cropping system.

Study and Application of "Three High and One Ensuring" Cultivation Mode of Double Cropping Rice

A set of "three high and one ensuring" cultivation mode of double cropping rice, the core of which was high panicle bearing tiller rate, high seed setting rate, high grain plumpness and ensuring high quality, was explored through many years of research. In this study, the effect of "three high and one ensuring" cultivation mode of double cropping rice was compared and investigated by field experiment and multiple location demonstration. The field experiment indicated that "three high and one ensuring" cultivation mode promoted the vegetative growth during early stage, inhibited the formation of ineffective tillers, promoted the growth of effective tillers and the formation of panicles, improved the panicle bearing tiller rate, increased the total number of spikelets, enhanced the seed setting rate and grain plumpness, increased the grain yield by 12.22%-19.73% at highly significant level, and improved the rice quality. Furthermore, the field demonstration also verified the results of field experiment.

Cold Damage Risk Assessment of Double Cropping Rice in Hunan, China

Combined with remote sensing data and meteorological data, cold damage risk was assessed for planting area of double cropping rice （DCR） in Hunan Province, China. A new methodology of cold damage risk assessment was built that apply to grid and have clear hazard-affected body. Each station cold damage annual frequency and average annual intensity of cold damage was calculated by using 1951-2010 station daily mean temperature and simple cold damage identification index. On this basis, average annual cold damage risk index was obtained by their product. The spatial analysis models of cold damage risk index about double-season early rice （DSER） and double-season later rice （DSLR） were established respectively by the relation of average annual cold damage risk index and its geographic factors. Critical threshold of level of average annual cold damage risk index for DSER and DSLR were respectively divided by the correlative equation of cold damage annual frequency and average annual intensity of cold damage. 2001-2010 planting area of DCR, acquired by time series analysis of MOD09AI 8-d composite land surface reflectance product, was as target of assessment. The results show average annual intensity of cold damage is exponential function of cold damage annual frequency, average annual cold damage risk index is directly proportional to cold damage cumulant and cold damage annual frequency, and is inversely proportional to happen times of cold damage and the square of statistical time sequence length. Cold damage risk of DSER is higher than DSLR in Hunan Province. In the 10-yr stacking map, DCR planting in low risk area accounted for 11.92% of total extraction area, in moderate risk area accounted for 69.62%, in high risk area accounted for 18.46%. According to the cold damage risk assessment result, DCR production can be guided to reduce cold damage losses.

Phenotypic Expression of Whitebacked Planthopper Resistance in the Newly Established japonica/indica Doubled Haploid Rice Population

A new doubled haploid (DH) rice population was established from a cross between WBPH-resistant japonica Chunjiang 06 (CJ-06) and susceptible indica TN1. Sucking inhibitory and ovicidal resistance of the DH rice lines were evaluated on the basis of non-preference response of WBPH immigrants and honeydew excretion by WBPH females, and appearance of watery lesions in the necrotic discoloration of leaf sheaths ovipositied by WBPH,respectively. Both the major gene resistance to WBPH, sucking inhibitory and ovicidal resistance, showed 1 (resistant): 1 (susceptible) segregation ratio in the DH population. Relative density of WBPH populations and damage scores in the DH population indicated combined functions of both the major resistance genes as well as QTLs affecting the host plant response to WBPH infestations. Thus, the newly developed CJ-06/TN1 DH population could be a useful material to analyze major genes and QTLs for WBPH resistance in japonica rice.

Non-leguminous winter cover crop and nitrogen rate in relation to double rice grain yield and nitrogen uptake in Dongting Lake Plain, Hunan Province, China

Annual ryegrass（Lolium multiflorum Lam.）, a non-leguminous winter cover crop, has been adopted to absorb soil native N to minimize N loss from an intensive double rice cropping system in southern China, but a little is known about its effects on rice grain yield and rice N use efficiency. In this study, effects of ryegrass on double rice yield, N uptake and use efficiency were measured under different fertilizer N rates. A 3-year（2009–2011） field experiment arranged in a split-plot design was undertaken. Main plots were ryegrass（RG） as a winter cover crop and winter fallow（WF） without weed. Subplots were three N treatments for each rice season： 0（N_0）, 100（N_（100）） and 200 kg N ha–1（N_（200））. In the 3-year experiment, RG reduced grain yield and plant N uptake for early rice（0.4–1.7 t ha–1 for grain yield and 4.6–20.3 kg ha–1 for N uptake） and double rice（0.6–2.0 t ha–1 for grain yield and 6.3–27.0 kg ha–1 for N uptake） when compared with WF among different N rates. Yield and N uptake decrease due to RG was smaller in N_（100） and N_（200） plots than in N_0 plots. The reduction in early rice grain yield in RG plots was associated with decrease number of panicles. Agronomic N use efficiency and fertilizer N recovery efficiency were higher in RG plots than winter fallow for early rice and double rice among different N rates and experimental years. RG tended to have little effect on grain yield, N uptake, agronomic N use efficiency, and fertilizer N recovery efficiency in the late rice season. These results suggest that ryegrass may reduce grain yield while it improves rice N use efficiency in a double rice cropping system.

Differential Expression of Whitebacked Planthopper Resistance in the japonica/indica Doubled Haploid Rice Population under Field Evaluation and Seedbox Screening Test

Whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) -resistance in a japonica / indica doubled haploid (DH) rice population established from a cross between WBPH-resistant japonica Chun]iang 06 and susceptible indica TN1, was comparatively evaluated through a field experiment based on the WBPH immigrant density and standardized seedbox screening test (SSST). All the susceptible DH lines in the field experiment behaved accordingly in SSST. However, 35 of resistant 66 lines (53%) in the field, were categorized to susceptible groups in SSST. Likewise, there were no significant differences in WBPH immigrant densities among 70 DH lines that were highly resistant to susceptible in SSST. The results revealed that SSST could not evaluate properly WBPH resistance in the DH lines. Four QTLs for WBPH-resistance phenotyped by the immigrant density were detected on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, and 11. Of them, the QTL on chromosome 4 was the most effective (LOD 21.8, variance 78%). Five QTLs associated with seedling mortality were mapped on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. In addition to the QTL (LOD 10.5, variance 68%) on chromosome 4, there was another major QTL (LOD 12.7, variance 71%) located on chromosome 5, which was SSST-specific but might be irrespective of the WBPH resistance traits.

Mapping QTLs for Drought Tolerance at Seedling Stage in Rice Using Doubled Haploid Population

QTLs for drought tolerance at the rice seedling stage were analyzed using a doubled haploid （DH） population consisted of 251 lines from the cross between a japonica parent Maybelle and an indica parent Baiyeqiu. A genetic linkage map with 226 SSR marker loci was constructed. Single-locus analysis following composite interval mapping （CIM） detected a total of five QTLs located on five different chromosomes of rice. Four QTLs were also detected following two-locus analysis, resolving two pairs of epistatic QTLs （E-QTI_s） with positive and additive genetic effects. The results indicated that the alleles from the parent Baiyeqiu contributed DH population to improve drought tolerance at the seedling stage.

Development and Characterization of Elite Doubled Haploid Lines from Two Indica Rice Hybrids

Despite significant yield advantage over inbred rice, the adoption rate of hybrid rice in India is very low due to the high seed cost and poor quality of the produce. To alleviate the problem, we initiated a doubled haploid （DH） breeding approach to develop new lines from two elite indica rice hybrids （CRHR5 and CRHR7） through rapid fixation of homozygosity in the recombinants. In vitro culture of the rice anthers resulted in 243 and 186 fertile DH lines of CRHR5 and CRHR7, respectively. Flow cytometric and pollen fertility analyses confirmed the DH ploidy status of the regenerations. Morpho-agronomic evaluation revealed 100% uniformity and stability for all the characters in the DH lines of both hybrids. Nineteen promising DH lines of each hybrid were advanced to A2 generation for yield evaluation. The yield levels of the DH lines ranged from 5 097-6 965 kg/hm^2 for CRHR5 and 5 141-7 235 kg/hm^2 for CRHR7, which were at par or higher than the parental hybrids. Physico-chemical characterization and cooking quality analyses revealed significant and acceptable values for grain length and width, alkali spreading value, amylose content and water uptake ratio of the selected DH lines. Three DH lines, CR5-10, CR5-49, CR5-61 from CRHR5, and four DH lines, CR7-5, CR7-7, CR7-12 and CR7-52 from CRHR7, showed significant grain yield and quality characteristics and have been recommended for multi-location trials for subsequent release as new indica doubled haploid rice varieties.

Integration of Growing Milk Vetch in Winter and Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Can Improve Rice Yield in Double-Rice Cropping System

To study whether integrative fertilization [growing milk vetch in winter and reducing the dose of chemical nitrogen(N) fertilizer] can improve rice yield, and to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanisms for integrative fertilization, a three-year field trial including two treatments, milk vetch-rice-rice(MRR) and winter fallow-rice-rice(FRR), was conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012.Our results demonstrated that the MRR treatment could significantly improve rice yield compared with the FRR treatment, especially when the application ratio of milk vetch and chemical fertilizer was 1:2.MRR treatment increased the effective panicle number and the spikelet number per panicle.In addition, a higher tillering number, leaf area index, photosynthetic-potential and photosynthetic-potential to grain ratio were observed in MRR treatment, which could provide enough dry matter for yield formation.Moreover, in MRR treatment, we discovered a higher transportation ratio and transformation ratio of dry matter in culm and leaves, and a stronger total sink capacity and spikelet-root bleeding intensity at the heading stage and 15 d after heading.Furthermore, the MRR treatment showed higher total N, phosphorus and potassium uptakes than FRR treatment, which was associated with the higher root dry weight in each soil layers.These results suggest that growing milk vetch in winter can improve rice yield under less chemical N fertilizer application, which is due to the improvement of soil nutrient status and the increased of rice root growth and development.

CLIMATIC RISK ZONING OF DOUBLE CROPPING SUPER RICE CULTIVATION IN HUNAN PROVINCE

Based on meteorological data including daily sunshine duration, temperature and precipitation from 97 meteorological stations in Hunan province during the period of 1981—2010, in combination with the field experiment in different places at different sowing dates, the precise climatic risk zoning of double cropping super rice cultivation has been studied by using the spatial interpolation method and other Geographical Information System(GIS)technologies. Three key climatic factors were selected including chilling in May, high temperature heat damage during July to early August and low temperature damage in autumn in this study. Furthermore, based on the analysis of climatic conditions suitable for double cropping super rice cultivation and climatic disasters, 8-22 ℃ active accumulated temperature, sunshine duration from late March to October, climatic risk index of the low temperature in autumn, and climatic risk index of chilling in May were selected as key climatic factors to study the precise agro-meteorological regionalization of double cropping super rice in Hunan province. The results showed that: the high-yielding zones of double cropping super rice in Hunan were mainly located in Zhuzhou, Hengyang, Yongzhou and Chenzhou City, the moderate-yielding zones were primarily located in the east and north reaches of Dongting Lake,together with most of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan City, and other regions in Hunan were not suitable for double cropping super rice. These findings can provide valuable information for the large-scale cultivation of double cropping super rice in Hunan province.

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch (Mv). We conducted a 10-year (2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application (22.5 Mg ha^–1). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination (sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80 (by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index (SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input (22.5 Mg ha^–1), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate (with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%), whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers (e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.

Observation on Double Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development in Autotetraploid Polyembryonic Rice

The process of double fertilization and the characters of embryo and endosperm development in an autotetraploid polyembryonic mutant rice IR36-Shuang were studied with a laser scanning confocal microscopy. Some abnormalities including degenerated ovary, abortive embryo sac, single fertilization, double-ovule and double-embryo and so on. were found dudng double fertilization and embryo development in IR36-Shuang. The rate of the abnormalities was 46.67% in IR36-Shuang, significantly higher than that in the control, an autotetraploid rice line IR36-4X （33.00%）. Cytological and embryonic evidences were provided for seed setting decline and the initiation of additional embryo in IR36-Shuang.

Haploids can be induced in knockout mutants of OsPLA1,but not OsDMP3 or OsDMP6,in rice

Doubled haploid(DH)technology is an important tool in crop breeding because it can significantly accelerate the breeding process.ZmPLA1/MATL/NLD and ZmDMP are two key genes controlling haploid induction(HI)in maize,exhibiting a synergistic effect.However,it is unknown whether knock out of ZmDMP orthologs can stimulate HI in rice.In this study,a ZmPLA1 ortholog(OsPLA1)and two ZmDMP orthologs(OsDMP3 and OsDMP6)were identified in rice.All three genes encode plasma membrane-localized proteins and were highly expressed in mature anthers.Knockout of OsPLA1 in both Minghui 63 and Nipponbare resulted in reduced seed setting rate(SSR)and caused HI.The osdmp3,osdmp6 and the double mutant failed to trigger HI independently,nor increased the haploid induction rate(HIR)when combined with ospla1.Repeated pollinations operations of QX654A with the ospla1 mutant significantly improve SSR,while reducing HIR.RNA-seq profiling of mature ospla1 mutant anthers indicated that a large number of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were enriched in redox homeostasis and lipid metabolic GO terms,plant hormone signal transduction,and MAPK signaling pathways.These findings provide important insights towards construction of an efficient DH breeding technology and study of the molecular mechanism of HI in rice.

EFFECTS OF SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT ON DRY NURSERY SEEDLING QUALITY OF LATE DOUBLE CROPPING RICE IN SOUTH CHINA

In the present paper, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil moisture content on dry nursery seedling quality in Guangzhou in 1995. Through comparing the difference of dry nursery seedlings and wet nursery seedlings, we found a close relationship between soil moisture content and seedling growth. The seedling emergence of dry nursery seedling was more even, tidy and faster, and the survival rate was higher than that of wet nursery seedling. Dry nursery seedlings had small plant stature, slow leaf stretching speed and low individual seedling dry weight, but had high dry/fresh weight ratio. This was abeneficial factor for seedlings to recover from transplanting shock more quickly. As com-pared with the wet nursery seedlings, dry nursery seedlings had poor rooting ability,but had more vigorous white roots and fewer rust roots. It was the possibly important reasonfor dry nursery seedlings to form strong“explosive force”.