ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA

Volume 34, Issue 8, August 2008

Online English edition of the Chinese language journal

Cite this article as: Acta Agron Sin, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434. RESEARCH PAPER

Absorption and Utilization of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and

Potassium in Rice Plants Under Site-Specific Nitrogen
Management and Wheat-Residue Incorporation

XU Guo-Wei1,2, YANG Li-Nian2, ZHANG Hao2, WANG Zhi-Qin2, LIU Li-Jun2,

and YANG Jian-Chang2,*
1
College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
2
Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

Abstract: To investigate the absorption and utilization of major nutrient elements of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant when wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.) residues returned to the field (residue incorporation, RI) or under site-specific nitrogen management (SSNM), the effects of
RI and SSNM on harvest index, translocation, and transportation efficiency were evaluated in 2005–2006, using a midseason japonica
rice cultivar of Yangjing 9538. The results showed that under same N level, compared with the no straw incorporation, RI reduced N
content and the accumulations of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in rice plants at the early growth stage but maintained high levels
of contents of P and K during the whole growth period. Moreover, RI improved the N use efficiency and the harvest index and biomass
production efficiency of N, P, and K. Under RI with the same amount of wheat residues, rice plants in SSNM had less absorption of N and
P than in the N fertilizer rate in farmer practice (FFP). However, the transportation percentages of N, P, and K from heading to maturity,
as well as the harvest indices of N and P under SSNM, were higher than those under FFP. The results indicate that both RI and SSNM can
increase the absorptions and use efficiencies of N, P, and K in rice plants, and their combination shows better effects.

Keywords: rice; wheat residue incorporation; site-specific nitrogen management; phosphorous; potassium; nutrition use efficiency

Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer has been considered
as an important approach to increase grain yield in rice
production. However, excessive use of N may not only result
in crop lodging, long vegetative growth, ripening delay, and
poor quality of grains but also aggravates the occurrences of
diseases and insect pests and reduces N use efficiency.
Moreover, a series of environmental problems, such as
underground water pollution, eutrophication in the rivers and
lakes, and greenhouse effect are accompanied with excessive
application of N fertilizer [1–3]. To resolve these problems, the
site-specific N management (SSNM) has been introduced
from the International Rice Research Institute, Los Banõs, the
Philippines. The principle of SSNM is determining N
application rate on the basis of indigenous N supply from soil,
the target yield of rice, and absorption rate of plants. The N
condition in plants (represented by leaf color) is monitored
regularly or irregularly using the chlorophyll meter (Soil and
Plant Analysis Department, SPAD) or the leaf-color chart
(LCC), and a scheme of N fertilizer is corresponding to the
SPAD or LCC readings. Therefore, the rate and time of N
application are in need of N absorption of plants [4, 5]. In China,
the SSNM has been demonstrated in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan,
Guangdong, Hubei, and Heilongjiang Provinces and proved to
be effective in N fertilizer saving and grain yield promotion [5, 6].
However, the absorption and use efficiency of phosphorous (P)
and potassium (K) under SSNM have been rarely studies.
Crop residue is a kind of energy materials that is rich in
carbon. Returning crop residues to field has great significance
in maintaining soil fertility and developing sustainable
agriculture [7]. With the development of chemical fertilizer,
use of the organic fertilizers made from straw has dramatically
reduced. Although, the effects of residue returning to the field
on the growth and development of crop, as well as the yield
formation, have been studied [6–10], the characteristics of

Received: 7 January 2008; Accepted: 14 March 2008.

* Corresponding author. E-mail: jcyang@yzu.edu.cn
Copyright © 2008, Crop Science Society of China and Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Published by Elsevier BV. All rights reserved.
Chinese edition available online at http://www.chinacrops.org/zwxb/
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

nutrition absorption under SSNM and wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.) residue incorporation (RI) are not well
understood. In this study, the effects of RI and SSNM on
absorption and utilization of N, P, and K in rice (Oryza sativa
L.) plants were investigated to provide theoretical bases for
high yielding and high efficiency in production of rice.
1 Materials and methods
1.1 Experimental site and plant material
The experiment was conducted in the farm of Yangzhou
University (Yangzhou, China), and the soil was a sandy loam.
After the previous crop (wheat) was harvested, the soil
fertility was assayed with 2.02% organic matter and available
N, P, and K at 103.2, 24.5, and 85.6 mg kg1, respectively.
A mid-season japonica cultivar of Yangjing 9538 was
planted in a paddy field. This cultivar had 17 leaves in the
main stem and 5 elongated internodes with the whole growth
period of 150–155 d.
1.2 Experiment design
In 2005 and 2006 growing seasons, treatments of wheat
residue management (A) and N management (B) were carried
out in a split-plot design with the main plot of factor A and
split plot of factor B. In factor A, 2 levels, i.e. minimum
tillage with no wheat residue incorporation (A1) and
minimum tillage with all wheat residues incorporation (RI, A2)
(7.21 t ha1 in 2005 and 7.38 t ha1 in 2006) were arranged; in
factor B, 3 levels, namely, no N fertilizer applied (B1), N
fertilizer rate in farmer practice (FFP, B2), and SSNM (B3)
were arranged. Wheat straws were shattered with a combine
machine at harvest and incorporated into the soil with a tractor.
Prior to incorporation, the field was flood irrigated. The
details in Table 1 were followed during N fertilizer application.
Each plot was 30 m2 with 4 replicates. The plots were
separated by a 1 m wide alley using plastic film inserted into
the soil to a depth of 50 cm.
Seeds were sown in nursery on 18 May, and seedlings were
transplanted on 6 June at a hill spacing of 0.2 m × 0.2 m with
2 seedlings per hill. Before transplanting, the paddy field was
applied with P fertilizer of 75 kg ha1 (as calcium phosphate)
and K fertilizer of 90 kg ha1 (as KCl). Shallow water was
maintained during the total growth period except for drainage
at leaf ages of 14 to 15. Insect pests and weeds were
completely controlled.
1.3 Sampling and measurements
1.3.1 Chlorophyll content The second leaf from the top
and the flag leaf were sampled before and after heading,
respectively, at a 10-day interval from 20 d after transplanting
(26 June). In each plot, 20 leaves were measured every time
using SPAD 502, with 3 measured points per leaf at upper,
medium, and lower position of the leaf. The average of the 3
measurements was used.
1.3.2 Nutrient contents Rice plants of 5 hills from each
plot were sampled at the stages of mid-tillering, panicle
initiation, heading, and maturity. Plant shoot (plant excluding
the roots) were separated into stems and sheaths, leaves, and
panicles prior to being dried in an oven and ground. The
contents of N, P, and K in different organs were assayed as
described by Bao [11].
1.4 Formulas and statistical analysis The nutrition
harvest index (HI), translocation (TL), and transportation
efficiency (TE) were calculated using the following formulas:

nutrient accumulation in panicle at maturity

HI (%) u 100;
nutrient accumulation in whole plant at maturity
TL (kg ha 1 ) nutrient accumulation at heading  nutrient accumulation at maturity;
nutrient apparent export from stems and leaves after heading
TE (%) u 100.
nutrient accumulation in stems and leaves at heading

Table 1 Rates and times of nitrogen application (kg ha1)

Treatment Pretransplanting Tillering Panicle initiation Heading Designed amount Actually applied
B1 0 0 0 0 0 0
B2 180 30 75 15 300 300
A1 100 30 50 0 160–255 180
B3
A2 100 30 45 0 160–255 175
A1: minimum tillage with no wheat residue incorporation; A2: minimum tillage with all wheat residues incorporation (7.21 t ha1 in 2005 and
7.38 t ha1 in 2006).
B1: no N fertilizer applied; B2: N fertilizer rate in farmer practice (FFP); B3: site-specific nitrogen management (SSNM).
In SSNM, the recommended rates for N fertilizer at tillering are 20, 40, and 60 kg ha1 when the SPAD readings are •40, 38–40, and ”38,
respectively; rates at panicle initiation are 40, 60, and 80 kg ha1 when the SPAD readings are •40, 38–40, and ”38, respectively; rates at
heading are 0 and 15 when SPAD readings are •40 and <40, respectively.
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

Analysis for variance (ANOVA) was carried out using a result, the translocation rate and translocation efficiency of
SAS/STAT statistical analysis package (version 6.12, SAS N from heading to maturity were significantly enhanced in A2
Institute, Cary, NC, USA). The plots were generated using treatment than in A1 treatment (Fig. 2). Under the same straw
SigmaPlot 8.0 software. management, SSNM decreased the accumulation of N in
vegetative organs but increased N content in grains. Although
2 Results SSNM decreased the amount of N utilization from heading to
maturity, it significantly improved N translocation from
2.1 Effects of RI and SSNM on absorption and utilization vegetative organs to grains. These results indicated that both
of nitrogen RI and SSNM increased in N use efficiency by improving N
allocation in vegetative organs and grains of rice.
2.1.1 N content in rice plants Compared with A1
2.1.3 Harvest index of nitrogen Under the same N
treatment, A2 treatment reduced the N content in plants at
management, RI and N application significantly increased N
midtillering under the same N management, and the N content
harvest index compared with no wheat residue returned
increased with the growth process of rice. Under the same
treatment. Under the same straw management, SSNM
wheat straw management, N content in plants was lower in
enhanced N harvest index by 7.66% compared with FFP (Fig.
SSNM than in FFP treatment during the whole growth period.
3). This indicated that there was an excessive absorption of N
The reductions were significant at midtillering and heading fertilizer under FFP and most of the N was accumulated in the
stages but not significant at the maturity stage. The data in vegetative organs and few were translocated to the grains. RI
both years showed a similar trend with no significant and SSNM could increase N proportion in the grains and N
difference (Table 2). harvest index.
2.1.2 Distribution and transportation of nitrogen At the
maturity stage, most N was distributed in grains, followed by 2.2 Effects of RI and SSNM on absorption and utilization
stems and leaves. Under the same N management, RI of phosphorus
treatment significantly increased N content in leaves and 2.2.1 P content in rice plants Under the same N
grains at maturity but decreased N content in stems (Fig. 1). As management, RI increased the P content in plants during the
whole growth period compared with the wheat straw removal
treatment (A1). Under the same wheat straw management,
Table 2 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific
SSNM reduced P content during the whole growing period
nitrogen management on yield and N content in rice plants
compared with FFP, indicating that RI could increase P
N content (mg g1) content in rice plants (Table 3).
Grain yield
Treatment Panicle 2.2.2 Distribution and transportation of phosphorus
(t ha1) Midtillering Heading Maturity
initiation According to the proportions of P accumulation in different
2005 organs, grains distributed the most amount of P at maturity,
A1B1 5.26 d 26.7 c 14.9 b 11.2 d 9.7 c
whereas the leaves distributed the least. Under the same N
A1B2 7.48 c 31.7 a 16.2 ab 16.2 b 12.3 ab
management, compared with A1 treatment, RI significantly
A1B3 8.02 a 27.8 c 15.1 b 15.8 c 12.0 b
decreased P content in leaves and stems at maturity, and
Mean 6.92 28.7 15.4 14.4 11.3
markedly increased the amount and percentage of P
A2B1 5.21 d 25.9 d 15.6 b 11.4 d 10.3 c
translocation by 3.4 kg ha1 and 4.7%, respectively, from
A2B2 7.72 b 29.2 b 17.3 a 17.1 a 12.8 a
heading to maturity. Under the same straw management,
A2B3 8.10 a 27.6 c 15.9 ab 16.2 b 12.6 ab
SSNM decreased the P content in leaves in comparison with
Mean 7.01 27.6 16.2 14.9 11.9
FFP, accordingly the translocation amount of P reduced by
2006
A1B1 5.40 d 26.4 d 14.6 cd 11.0 d 10.2 c
2.6% from heading to maturity. However, the translocation
A1B2 7.41 c 32.0 a 15.6 bc 16.5 a 12.5 ab percentage of P increased by 3.3% (Figs. 4 and 5). These
A1B3 8.36 a 28.3 c 15.3 bc 15.0 c 12.4 ab results indicated that RI promoted P translocation from
Mean 7.06 28.9 15.2 14.2 11.7 vegetative organs to grains.
A2B1 5.29 d 26.1 d 15.4 bc 11.4 d 10.7 c
2.2.3 Harvest index of phosphorus Under the same N
A2B2 7.81 b 30.2 b 17.0 a 16.6 a 12.9 a management, when compared with no wheat residue
A2B3 8.51 a 28.1 c 16.2 ab 15.9 b 12.8 a incorporation treatment, RI significantly increased P harvest
Mean 7.20 28.1 16.2 14.6 12.2 index by 8.2%. Under the same amount of straw incorporation,
In each year, values within columns followed by different letters are SSNM enhanced P harvest index compared with FFP (Fig. 6).
significantly different at P < 0.05. Therefore, higher P proportion in grains and P harvest index
Treatments described as in Table 1. can be obtained with the approaches of RI and SSNM.
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

2005 2006
30
Leaf Leaf
25
20
15
10
5
0
70
N accumulation (kg ha1)

60 Stem Stem
50
40
30
20
10
0
180
Grain Grain
150
120
90
60
30
0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management

A1 A2

Fig. 1 Proportion of N accumulation in leaves, stems, and grains at maturity stage of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.

2005 2006
100
Amount of N transport

80
(kg ha1)

60

40

20

0
80
Percentage of N transport

60
(%)

40

20

0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management
A1 A2

Fig. 2 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific nitrogen management on N translocation
from vegetative organs to grains during grain filling of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

Table 3 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific

0.8 2005 nitrogen management on P content in rice plants
Treatment Midtillering Panicle initiation Heading Maturity
0.6
2005
0.4 A1B1 0.43 d 0.33 c 0.33 c 0.30 c
A1B2 0.47 bc 0.37 bc 0.40 b 0.39 a
0.2 A1B3 0.45 cd 0.34 c 0.37 b 0.36 b
N harvest index

Mean 0.45 0.35 0.37 0.35

0.0
A2B1 0.49 b 0.34 c 0.35 c 0.31 c
0.8 2006
A2B2 0.53 a 0.43 a 0.44 a 0.40 a
A2B3 0.49 b 0.39 b 0.40 b 0.38 b
0.6 Mean 0.50 0.39 0.40 0.36
2006
0.4
A1B1 0.49 b 0.34 c 0.35 c 0.31 c
0.2 A1B2 0.53 a 0.43 a 0.44 a 0.40 a
A1B3 0.49 b 0.39 b 0.40 b 0.38 b
0.0 Mean 0.50 0.39 0.40 0.36
0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management A2B1 0.50 cd 0.39 c 0.36 c 0.32 c
A2B2 0.57 a 0.44 a 0.45 a 0.41 a
A1 A2
A2B3 0.54 b 0.42 b 0.41 b 0.38 b
Fig. 3 Effects of wheat residue incorporation Mean 0.54 0.42 0.41 0.37
and site-specific nitrogen management on In each year, values within columns followed by different letters are
N harvest index in rice significantly different at P < 0.05.
Treatments described as in Table 1. Treatments described as in Table 1.

2005 2006
3.0
Leaf Leaf
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
18
Stem Stem
P accumulation (kg ha1)

15
12
9
6
3
0
70
60 Grain Grain
50
40
30
20
10
0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management
A1 A2
Fig. 4 Proportion of P accumulation in leaves, stems, and grains at maturity stage of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

2005 2006
30
25

Amount of P transport
20

(kg ha1)
15
10
5
0

80
Percentage of P transport

60
(%)

40

20

0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management

A1 A2
Fig. 5 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific nitrogen management on P translocation
from vegetative organs to grains during grain filling of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.

no significant difference in K content between FFP and

0.8 2005
SSNM (Table 4).
0.6 2.3.2 Distribution and transportation of potassium At
maturity, the K element was distributed mostly in stems, which
0.4
was much higher that in grains and leaves. Under the same N
0.2 management, RI significantly increased K content in leaves
P harvest index

and grains at maturity, and the amount and percentage of K

0.0
translocation promoted by 19.9 kg ha1 and 5.0%, respectively,
0.8 2006 compared with the no wheat residue incorporation treatment.
Under the same straw management, there was no significant
0.6
difference in the K distribution between FFP and SSNM.
0.4 SSNM decreased the amount and percentage of K
translocation by 29.3% and 17.2%, respectively (Figs. 7 and
0.2
8), implying that SSNM improved the translocation of K from
0.0 source (vegetative organs) to sink (grains).
0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management
2.3.3 Harvest index of potassium RI significantly
increased K harvest index compared with no wheat residue
A1 A2
incorporation treatment under the same N management,
Fig. 6 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific
resulting from the K reduction in leaves and stems and
nitrogen management on P harvest index in rice
Treatments described as in Table 1. promotion in grains. Under the same straw management, there
was no significant difference in K harvest index between
SSNM and FFP (Fig. 9).

2.3 Effects of RI and SSNM on absorption and utilization 3 Discussion

of potassium
3.1 Effects of wheat-residue incorporation on nutrition
2.3.1 K content in rice plants Under the same N
absorption and utilization
management, RI increased K content during the whole growth
period when compared with the no wheat residue incorporation RI reduced N contents in rice plants at the early growth stage
treatment. Under the same wheat straw management, there was but increased N contents in the late growth stage compared with
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

Table 4 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific the straw removal treatment. Under RI, the number of soil
nitrogen management on K content in rice plants microorganisms can increase rapidly to decompose the
Treatment Midtillering Panicle initiation Heading Maturity organism into humus and release the nutrient components.
2005 Simultaneously, the soil carbon and other nonorganic nutrition
A1B1 3.71 d 3.14 d 2.06 c 1.29 d were assimilated for biomass of the microorganisms. During
A1B2 4.04 b 3.51 bc 2.55 b 1.65 b this process, microorganisms consume a lot of N nutrition for
A1B3 4.26 a 3.59 b 2.57 b 1.48 c its own metabolism. Therefore, the growth and development
Mean 4.00 3.41 2.39 1.47 of rice plant are affected at the early growth stage under
A2B1 3.89 c 3.38 c 2.17 c 1.38 cd RI [12–15]. However, during the whole growth period, RI
A2B2 4.37 a 3.62 b 2.70 a 1.62 b improves the absorption and accumulation of P and K with
A2B3 4.29 a 3.79 a 2.73 a 1.80 a higher contents of P and K in rice plant than in no wheat
Mean 4.18 3.60 2.53 1.60
residue incorporation treatment. This is probably because RI
2006
can not only provide soluble P and K for direct use but also
A1B1 3.62 d 3.28 e 2.08 d 1.27 d
activate microorganism in soil to release more P and K
A1B2 4.16 b 3.47 d 2.47 c 1.55 b
A1B3 4.11 b 3.65 c 2.52 bc 1.54 b
nutrition [16–18].
Mean 3.96 3.47 2.36 1.45 RI increases N use efficiency under all N application rates.
This may be explained in several reasons. RI could enhance
A2B1 3.85 c 3.47 d 2.15 d 1.42 bc
A2B2 4.42 a 3.89 a 2.88 a 1.53 b
nitrate reductase activity in roots and leaves in rice and maize
A2B3 4.36 a 3.74 ab 2.66 b 1.82 a (Zea mays. L.) and promote the absorption of N, leading to
Mean 4.21 3.70 2.57 1.59 an increase in the total amount of N absorption [14, 19]. Yang
In each year, values within columns followed by different letters are et al. [20] reported that the enhancement of nutrition
significantly different at P < 0.05. absorption was related to the enhancement of phosphatase
Treatments described as in Table 1. activity in root surface, and phosphatase played an important

2005 2006
30
Leaf Leaf
25
20
15
10
5
0
250
Stem Stem
K accumulation (kg ha1)

200

150

100

50

0
80
Grain Grain
60

40

20

0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management
A1 A2

Fig. 7 Proportion of K accumulation in leaves, stems, and grains at maturity stage of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434

2005 2006
120

Amount of K transport
100
80
(kg ha1) 60
40
20
0
50
Percentage of K transport

40

30
(%)

20

10

0
0N FFP SSNM 0N FFP SSNM
Nitrogen management Nitrogen management

A1 A2
Fig. 8 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific nitrogen management on K translocation
from vegetative organs to grains during grain filling of rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.

0.3 nutrition and eventually the N use efficiency increased.

2005
We observed significant increases in P and K absorption
0.2 under RI, as well as enhanced K translocation from vegetative
organs to panicles during grain filling. The phenomena
0.1 attribute to the sufficient nutrition supply form the
incorporated straw during the late growth period and to the
K harvest index

0.0
high activity of roots at heading and late grain filling stages.
0.3 In addition, RI could enhance the activity draw power of sink,
2006 resulting in more nutrition translocating from vegetative
organs to grains [19, 20].
0.2

3.2 Effects of SSNM on utilization of fertilizer

0.1
0.0
0N FFP
Nitrogen management
A1
Fig. 9 Effects of wheat residue incorporation and site-specific
nitrogen management on K harvest index in rice
Treatments described as in Table 1.
role in P circulation and nutrition absorption in soil. Potassium,
which was mainly distributed in stems and sheaths of crops,
could be promoted in absorption when wheat-residue
returning to field [21]. Tian and Shi [22] demonstrated the
positive interaction of nutrition, such as P–K interaction and
N–K interaction. Furthermore, K could promote the
absorption, translocation, metabolism, and accumulation of N
In this study, N harvest index decreased significantly under
FFP, although the amount of N absorption was increased. This
SSNM indicates that under FFP, luxuriously absorbed N is most
distributed in rice straws instead of translocation to panicles.
A2 In contrast, the amount of N applied under SSNM was only
60% of that under FFP, but the amount of N absorption was
90% of FFP. Thus, SSNM can increase N utilization and N
translocation to grains, resulting in an enhancement in N
harvest index. When SSNM was combined with RI, the
harvest indices of N and P significantly increased, and the
enhancement was greater than SSNM alone, suggesting that
either RI or SSNM can increase N or P use efficiency with a
positive interaction.
The criteria of SPAD reading for SSNM technique were
usually determined according to experience of the practicer. In
this study, based on the result from a preliminary experiment,
we determine SPAD reading of 40 as the critical value of N
 XU Guo-Wei et al. / Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2008, 34(8): 1424–1434
application for the midseason japonica rice cultivar of
Yangjing 9538. Either with wheat residue incorporation or
with straw removal, the N use efficiency was significantly
higher under SSNM than under FFP; simultaneously, the grain
yield of rice was higher to some extent. Xu [23] studied the
SPAD reading criteria using several rice cultivars and gave
results as 36 (equiv. LCC reading of 3.0) for indica rice and
39 (equiv. LCC reading of 3.5) for japonica rice. These
criteria have proved to be able to obtain high yield and N use
efficiency in rice [24]. We observed that rice plants needed
more N nutrition during the early growth period under RI than
under the wheat-residue removal treatment. Therefore, the
SSNM technique should be improved precisely in the rate and
proportion of N application at different growth stages to meet
the requirement of rice plants under RI.
4 Conclusions
RI reduces N content and the accumulations of N, P, and K
in rice plants at the early growth stage but increases the
contents of P and K in plants during the whole growth period.
Both RI and SSNM can increase N use efficiency and the
harvest indices of N and P. The combination of RI and SSNM
can efficiently improve absorption and use efficiency of N, P,
and K in rice plants.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the National Natural Science
Foundation of China (30671225 and 30771274), the National
Key Technologies R & D Program of China (2006BAD
02A13-3-2), and the Program of Introducing International
Super Agricultural Science and Technology of China
(2006-G60).
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