Sustained productivity and agronomic potential of perennial rice

Shilai Zhang, Guangfu Huang, Yujiao Zhang, Xiutao Lv, Kejiang Wan, Jian Liang, Yupeng Feng, Jinrong Dao, Shukang Wu, Lin Zhang, Xu Yang, Xiaoping Lian, Liyu Huang, Lin Shao, Jing Zhang, Shiwen Qin, Dayun Tao, Timothy E. Crews, Erik J. Sacks, Jun Lyu (), Len J. Wade () and Fengyi Hu ()
Additional contact information
Shilai Zhang: Yunnan University
Guangfu Huang: Yunnan University
Yujiao Zhang: Yunnan University
Xiutao Lv: National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center
Kejiang Wan: National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center
Jian Liang: National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center
Yupeng Feng: National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center
Jinrong Dao: Yunnan Agricultural Technology Extension Station
Shukang Wu: Yunnan Agricultural Technology Extension Station
Lin Zhang: Yunnan Agricultural Technology Extension Station
Xu Yang: Yunnan Agricultural Technology Extension Station
Xiaoping Lian: Yunnan University
Liyu Huang: Yunnan University
Lin Shao: Yunnan University
Jing Zhang: Yunnan University
Shiwen Qin: Yunnan University
Dayun Tao: Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (YAAS)
Timothy E. Crews: The Land Institute
Erik J. Sacks: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jun Lyu: No. 51, Lane 669, Changbei Road, Baoshan District
Len J. Wade: University of Queensland
Fengyi Hu: Yunnan University

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 1, 28-38

Abstract: Abstract There is an urgent need for agricultural systems to intensify sustainably, increasing crop productivity, farmer livelihoods and soil health while using fewer resources. Crop perennialization, the conversion of especially annual grains to perennial forms, has shown such possibility. Here we report the successful breeding of perennial rice and assess its performance and potential. Domesticated, annual Asian rice (Oryza sativa) was hybridized with its perennial African relative Oryza longistaminata. From a single planting, irrigated perennial rice produced grain for eight consecutive harvests over four years, averaging 6.8 Mg ha−1 harvest−1 versus the 6.7 Mg of replanted annual rice, which required additional labour and seed. Four years of cropping with perennial rice resulted in soils accumulating 0.95 Mg ha–1 yr–1 organic carbon and 0.11 Mg ha−1 yr−1 nitrogen, along with increases in soil pH (0.3–0.4) and plant-available water capacity (7.2 mm). Perennial cultivars are strongly preferred by farmers; growing them saves 58.1% of labour and 49.2% of input costs in each regrowth cycle. In 2021, perennial rice was grown on 15,333 ha by 44,752 smallholder farmers in southern China. Suited to a broad range of frost-free environments between 40° N and 40° S, perennial rice is a step change with potential to improve livelihoods, enhance soil quality and inspire research on other perennial grains.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00997-3

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