Physiological processes associated with high yield traits in modern rice varieties

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtse River), Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China.

2 School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK

Abstract

Understanding the physiological processes associated with high yield traits in modern crop
varieties is essential to further increase grain yield and improve nutrient management strategies.
Field trials were conducted to study the effects of fertilization and variety on the grain yield of
rice (Oryza sativa L.) with two fertilizer levels and 18 modern varieties. The objectives were to
evaluate yield components, time courses of dry matter production and time courses of N, P2O5
and K2O accumulation among different yield categories and to determine physiological
processes associated with yield-trait relationships. Variation among varieties had a considerable
impact on rice grain yield, regardless of fertilization. Close correlations were observed between
grain yield and effective panicles, dry matter production and N, P2O5 and K2O accumulation.
Differences in dry matter production and P2O5 accumulation among different yield categories
began at anthesis; differences in N and K2O accumulation emerged earlier. It can be concluded
that consistent increases in dry matter production (especially post-anthesis) and N, P2O5 and
K2O accumulation are crucial for further improvements in rice yield-trait relationships.


Keywords