Utilization of Rhodopseudomonas palustris in Crop Rotation Practice Boosts Rice Productivity and Soil Nutrient Dynamics

Laurence Shiva Sundar, Kuei-Shan Yen, Yao-Tsung Chang and Yun-Yang Chao ()
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Laurence Shiva Sundar: Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
Kuei-Shan Yen: Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan
Yao-Tsung Chang: Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, 2-6 Dehe Rd., Dehe Village, Changjhih Township, Pingtung 90846, Taiwan
Yun-Yang Chao: Department of Plant Industry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912301, Taiwan

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: Using beneficial microorganisms, such as purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), has shown enormous potential for improving plant growth and agricultural production. However, the full extent of their benefits and interactions with agricultural practices is yet to be fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the use of PNSB in crop rotation practice, focusing on its impact on rice growth and yield. The experiment was conducted over two rice cropping seasons, with djulis grown between the rice as a rotation crop. The study shows that PNSB treatment increased the concentration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in plants, indicating enhanced photosynthesis. Moreover, when combined with crop rotation, PNSB remarkably improved soil fertility. These combined benefits resulted in substantial increases in tiller numbers (163%), leaf chlorophyll content (13%), and lodging resistance (66%), compared to the untreated plants. The combined treatment also resulted in higher productive tillers per hill (112%), average grain per hill (65%), and grain fertility (26%). This led to increased grain yield (65%), shoot dry weight (15%), and harvest index (37%). The findings clearly suggest that the incorporation of PNSB in crop rotation strategies can significantly augment the growth and yield of rice crops. These insights, pivotal for sustainable rice cultivation, hold the potential to simultaneously tackle the pressing issues of global food security and climate change.

Keywords: 5-aminolevulinic acid; agricultural practices; djulis; global food security; growth and yield of rice; harvest index; lodging resistance; purple non-sulfur bacteria; soil fertility; sustainable rice production (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
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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