Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality

Abstract With the increasing demand for resource conservation and environmental protection in agricultural production, increasing density and reducing nitrogen application have emerged as an important direction in rice cultivation. Optimizing cultivation practices can ensure stable yield increases a...

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Main Authors: Diankai Gong, Yi Wang, Ying Chen, Xianping Liu, Guangxing Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10955-6
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author Diankai Gong
Yi Wang
Ying Chen
Xianping Liu
Guangxing Yu
author_facet Diankai Gong
Yi Wang
Ying Chen
Xianping Liu
Guangxing Yu
author_sort Diankai Gong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract With the increasing demand for resource conservation and environmental protection in agricultural production, increasing density and reducing nitrogen application have emerged as an important direction in rice cultivation. Optimizing cultivation practices can ensure stable yield increases and improvement of rice quality while reducing nitrogen fertilizer input. This study aimed to investigate the effects of density-increasing and nitrogen-saving (DINS) practices on lodging resistance, yield, and quality of rice, providing a scientific basis for high-yield and efficient rice cultivation. The field experiment was conducted at the Liaoning Rice Research Institute’s experimental base from 2020 to 2021, using the upright-panicle rice variety Liaojing 212. Two transplanting densities (D1: 30 cm × 16.6 cm and D2: 25 cm × 12 cm) and two nitrogen application levels (F1: conventional nitrogen application rate of 225 kg N/ha and F2: 190 kg N/ha) were set. By measuring plant type, panicle structure, stem composition and mechanical properties, yield components, and rice quality, the impacts of DINS on lodging resistance, quality, and yield were analyzed. Results showed that compared to conventional planting, DINS reduced rice yield by 1.63–3.66%, but the difference was not significant. DINS compensated for the yield reduction caused by a 15% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer through a 7.78–8.09% increase in total effective panicles. However, DINS significantly reduced lodging indices of the N1, N2, and N3 stem internodes by 18.63–33.23%, 26.79–36.77%, and 27.06–31.93%, respectively, significantly enhancing lodging resistance. This was mainly achieved by reducing plant height and center of gravity, and increasing lignin and cellulose content in the stems. Rice eating quality was significantly improved by 9.78–10.34%, mainly through reductions in amylose and protein content in the grains. DINS can ensure stable rice yield while significantly improving lodging resistance and eating quality, with notable economic and environmental benefits, providing a new approach for high-yield, high-efficiency, and high-quality rice cultivation.
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spelling doaj-art-e69821e0e12f413ab16438129aad81692025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-10955-6Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and qualityDiankai Gong0Yi Wang1Ying Chen2Xianping Liu3Guangxing Yu4Liaoning Rice Research InstituteLiaoning Meteorological Equipment Support CenterLiaoning Rice Research InstituteLiaoning Rice Research InstituteLiaoning Rice Research InstituteAbstract With the increasing demand for resource conservation and environmental protection in agricultural production, increasing density and reducing nitrogen application have emerged as an important direction in rice cultivation. Optimizing cultivation practices can ensure stable yield increases and improvement of rice quality while reducing nitrogen fertilizer input. This study aimed to investigate the effects of density-increasing and nitrogen-saving (DINS) practices on lodging resistance, yield, and quality of rice, providing a scientific basis for high-yield and efficient rice cultivation. The field experiment was conducted at the Liaoning Rice Research Institute’s experimental base from 2020 to 2021, using the upright-panicle rice variety Liaojing 212. Two transplanting densities (D1: 30 cm × 16.6 cm and D2: 25 cm × 12 cm) and two nitrogen application levels (F1: conventional nitrogen application rate of 225 kg N/ha and F2: 190 kg N/ha) were set. By measuring plant type, panicle structure, stem composition and mechanical properties, yield components, and rice quality, the impacts of DINS on lodging resistance, quality, and yield were analyzed. Results showed that compared to conventional planting, DINS reduced rice yield by 1.63–3.66%, but the difference was not significant. DINS compensated for the yield reduction caused by a 15% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer through a 7.78–8.09% increase in total effective panicles. However, DINS significantly reduced lodging indices of the N1, N2, and N3 stem internodes by 18.63–33.23%, 26.79–36.77%, and 27.06–31.93%, respectively, significantly enhancing lodging resistance. This was mainly achieved by reducing plant height and center of gravity, and increasing lignin and cellulose content in the stems. Rice eating quality was significantly improved by 9.78–10.34%, mainly through reductions in amylose and protein content in the grains. DINS can ensure stable rice yield while significantly improving lodging resistance and eating quality, with notable economic and environmental benefits, providing a new approach for high-yield, high-efficiency, and high-quality rice cultivation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10955-6RiceDensityNitrogenLodging resistanceYieldQuality
spellingShingle Diankai Gong
Yi Wang
Ying Chen
Xianping Liu
Guangxing Yu
Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
Scientific Reports
Rice
Density
Nitrogen
Lodging resistance
Yield
Quality
title Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
title_full Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
title_fullStr Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
title_full_unstemmed Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
title_short Effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
title_sort effects of increased planting density and reduced nitrogen application on rice lodging resistance yield and quality
topic Rice
Density
Nitrogen
Lodging resistance
Yield
Quality
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10955-6
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