Improvement of Transplanting Rice Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Increasing Planting Density in Northeast China Under the Optimal Nitrogen Split-Fertilizer Applications

Zichen Liu, Wanchun Li, Shujuan Geng, Rui Zhang, Man Dou, Meikang Wu, Liangdong Li, Dongchao Wang, Xiaoshuang Wei, Ping Tian, Meiying Yang, Zhihai Wu and Lei Wu ()
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Zichen Liu: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Wanchun Li: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Shujuan Geng: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Rui Zhang: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Man Dou: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Meikang Wu: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Liangdong Li: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Dongchao Wang: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Xiaoshuang Wei: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Ping Tian: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Meiying Yang: College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Zhihai Wu: Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Lei Wu: College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: There are few studies on how nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates and transplanting densities impact rice yield, root distribution, and N use efficiency in the cold regions of Northeast China. This research involved a two-year field trial utilizing Jinongda 667 as the material. In 2021, three N split-fertilizer applications—T1 (6:3:1), T2 (5:3:2), T3 (4:3:3)—and two transplanting densities—D1 (30 cm × 13.3 cm) and D2 (30 cm × 20 cm)—were compared with the conventional cultivation mode (T0: 175 kg N hm −2 , 6:3:1), whereby the N application mode most suitable for increasing density was explored. In 2022, four N application levels—0 (N0), 125 (N1), 150 (N2), and 175 (N3) kg N hm −2 —were assessed under the same density treatment to analyze the yield, resource utilization efficiency, and root traits of Jinongda 667. The results indicated that when the transplanting density was 30 cm × 13.3 cm, the application of 5:3:2 fertilizer was more conducive to improving rice yield. Increasing planting density under reduced N input significantly enhanced both rice yield and N use efficiency. In contrast to the conventional cultivation method (D2N3), the treatment of increased planting density (D1N2) under reduced N input led to a 21.2% rise in the number of panicles per square meter and an 8.6% boost in rice yield. Furthermore, increasing planting density under reduced N input significantly enhanced the agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer, the apparent utilization rate, and the N harvest index. It also boosted the SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, and the utilization efficiency of light and N resources in rice. However, it was noted that root enzyme activity decreased. This study demonstrated that increasing planting density, combined with the N application mode of 5:3:2 and an N application rate of 150 kg hm −2 , maximized resource utilization efficiency, optimized root absorption capacity, and resulted in higher yields.

Keywords: N fertilizer; planting density; root distribution; yield; N use efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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