Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deficiency alters grain morphology and reduces yield and quality rice (Oryza sativa L.). This study investigates the impact of nitrogen (N) deficiency on grain morphology, yield, and quality in 30 diverse rice genotypes. The genotypes were grown under field conditions during the 2019 and 2020-kharif seasons, subjected to two N regimes: N deficient (N0) and N sufficient (N120). Nitrogen deficiency resulted in reduced grain weight and protein content. Variations in grain morphology-related traits were observed among rice genotypes under different N applications, and these changes were correlated with yield. Certain genotypes, like APO, Nerica-L-42, and Kalinga-1, exhibited better performance under N0, indicating their tolerance to low N environments. Additionally, specific genotypes showed higher grain protein content under both N0 and N120 treatments. The study highlights the relationship between grain N content, grain morphology, and yield traits in rice under varying N conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bai, X. F., Luo, L. J., Yan, W. H., Kovi, M. R., & Xing, Y. Z. (2011). Quantitative trait loci for rice yield-related traits using recombinant inbred lines derived from two diverse cultivars. Journal of Genetics, 90, 209–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12041-011-0057-Y
Bao, J. (2014). Genes and QTLs for rice grain quality improvement rice Germplasm. In: Yan, W. Bao, J. (Ed.) Rice: Germplasm, Genetics and Improvement. InTech–Open Science Open Mind. https://doi.org/10.5772/56621
Cerutti, T., & Delatorre, C. A. (2013). Nitrogen and phosphorus interaction and cytokinin: Responses of the primary root of Arabidopsis thaliana and the pdr1 mutant. Plant Science, 198, 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.10.007
Chen, K., Łyskowski, A., Jaremko, Ł, & Jaremko, M. (2021). Genetic and molecular factors determining grain weight in rice. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPLS.2021.605799/FULL
El Baroudy, A. A., Ali, A. M., Mohamed, E. S., Moghanm, F. S., Shokr, M. S., Savin, I., Poddubsky, A., Ding, Z., Kheir, A. M. S., Aldosari, A. A., Elfadaly, A., Dokukin, P., & Lasaponara, R. (2020). Modeling land suitability for rice crop using remote sensing and soil quality indicators: The case study of the nile delta. Sustain, 2020(12), 9653–9653. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12229653
Feng, Y., Cao, L. Y., Wu, W. M., Shen, X. H., Zhan, X. D., Zhai, R. R., Wang, R. C., Chen, D. B., & Cheng, S. H. (2010). Mapping QTLs for nitrogen-deficiency tolerance at seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L). Plant Breeding, 129, 652–656. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0523.2009.01728.x
Garcia, G. A., Serrago, R. A., Dreccer, M. F., & Miralles, D. J. (2016). Post-anthesis warm nights reduce grain weight in field-grown wheat and barley. Field Crops Research, 195, 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FCR.2016.06.002
Gu, J., Zhou, Z., Li, Z., Chen, Y., Wang, Z., & Zhang, H. (2017). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) with reduced chlorophyll content exhibit higher photosynthetic rate and efficiency, improved canopy light distribution, and greater yields than normally pigmented plants. Field Crops Research, 200, 58–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FCR.2016.10.008
Guo, X. H., Lan, Y. C., Xu, L. Q., Yin, D. W., Li, H., Qian, Y. D., Zheng, G. P., & Lv, Y. D. (2021). Effects of nitrogen application rate and hill density on rice yield and nitrogen utilization in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20, 540–553.
Huang, K., Wang, D., Duan, P., Zhang, B., Xu, R., Li, N., & Li, Y. (2017). Wide and thick grain 1, which encodes an otubain-like protease with deubiquitination activity, influences grain size and shape in rice. The Plant Journal, 91, 849–860. https://doi.org/10.1111/TPJ.13613
Imai, I., Kimball, J. A., Conway, B., Yeater, K. M., McCouch, S. R., & McClung, A. (2013). Validation of yield-enhancing quantitative trait loci from a low-yielding wild ancestor of rice. Molecular Breeding, 32, 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-013-9855-7
Iqbal, A., He, L., Khan, A., Wei, S., Akhtar, K., Ali, I., & Jiang, L. (2019). Organic manure coupled with inorganic fertilizer: An approach for the sustainable production of rice by improving soil properties and nitrogen use efficiency. Agronomy, 9, 651.
Ishfaq, M., Akbar, N., Zulfiqar, U., Hussain, S., Murtza, K., & Batool, Z. (2020). Influence of nitrogen management regimes on milling recovery and grain quality of aromatic rice in different rice production systems. Agronomy, 10, 1841. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111841
Jagadhesan, B., Sathee, L., Meena, H. S., Jha, S. K., Chinnusamy, V., Kumar, A., & Kumar, S. (2020). Genome wide analysis of NLP transcription factors reveals their role in nitrogen stress tolerance of rice. Science and Reports, 10, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66338-6
Jones, J. B. (1987). Kjeldahl nitrogen determination—What’s in a name. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 10, 1675–1682. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904168709363706
Ju, X. T., Xing, G. X., Chen, X. P., Zhang, S. L., Zhang, L. J., Liu, X. J., Cui, Z. L., Yin, B., Christie, P., Zhu, Z. L., & Zhang, F. S. (2009). Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106, 3041–3046. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0813417106
Kraiser, T., Gras, D. E., Gutierrez, A. G., Gonzalez, B., & Gutierrez, R. A. (2011). A holistic view of nitrogen acquisition in plants. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62, 1455–1466. https://doi.org/10.1093/JXB/ERQ425
Kuo, T. Y., Chung, C. L., Chen, S. Y., Lin, H. A., & Kuo, Y. F. (2016). Identifying rice grains using image analysis and sparse-representation-based classification. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 127, 716–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPAG.2016.07.020
Lee, S. (2021). Recent advances on nitrogen use efficiency in rice. Agronomy, 11, 753. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040753
Lehmeier, C. A., Wild, M., & Schnyder, H. (2013). Nitrogen stress affects the turnover and size of nitrogen pools supplying leaf growth in a grass. Plant Physiology, 162, 2095–2105. https://doi.org/10.1104/PP.113.219311
Li, Y. L., Fan, X. R., & Shen, Q. R. (2008). The relationship between rhizosphere nitrification and nitrogen-use efficiency in rice plants. Plant, Cell Environment, 31, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-3040.2007.01737.X
Lian, X., Xing, Y., Yan, H., Xu, C., Li, X., & Zhang, Q. (2005). QTLs for low nitrogen tolerance at seedling stage identified using a recombinant inbred line population derived from an elite rice hybrid. Theor. Appl. Genetics, 112, 85–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-005-0108-y
Linquist, B. A., Liu, L. J., van Kessel, C., & van Groenigen, K. J. (2013). Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers for rice systems: Meta-analysis of yield and nitrogen uptake. Field Crops Research, 154, 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.08.014
Liu, T., Wu, W., Chen, W., Sun, C., Chen, C., Wang, R., Zhu, X., & Guo, W. (2016). A shadow-based method to calculate the percentage of filled rice grains. Biosystems Engineering, 150, 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOSYSTEMSENG.2016.07.011
Mae, T. (1997). Physiological nitrogen efficiency in rice: Nitrogen utilization, photosynthesis, and yield potential. Plant and Soil, 196, 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004293706242
Mariotti, F., Tome, D., & Mirand, P. P. (2008). Converting nitrogen into protein—beyond 6.25 ’nd Jones’ factors. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 48(2), 177–184.
McClung, A. M., Chen, M. H., Jodari, F., Famoso, A. N., Addison, C. K., Linscombe, S. D., Ottis, B. V., Moldenhauer, K. A. K., Walker, T. W., Wilson, L. T., & McKenzie, K. S. (2020). Use of objective imaging systems to assess subjective grain appearance traits important to the US rice industry. Cereal Chemistry, 97, 349–361. https://doi.org/10.1002/CCHE.10251
McLaughlin, N. B., Giesbrecht, J., & Bligh, D. F. (2011). Design and performance of an electronic seed counter. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 56, 351–355. https://doi.org/10.4141/CJPS76-053
Miao, Y., Stewart, B. A., & Zhang, F. (2011). Long-term experiments for sustainable nutrient management in China a review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 31, 397–414.
Mur, L. A. J., Simpson, C., Kumari, A., Gupta, A. K., & Gupta, K. J. (2017). Moving nitrogen to the centre of plant defence against pathogens. Annals of Botany, 119, 703–709. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcw179
Ning, H. F., Liu, Z. G., Wang, Q. S., Lin, Z. M., Chen, S. J., Li, G. H., Wang, S. H., & Ding, Y. F. (2009). Effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on grain phytic acid and protein concentrations in japonica rice and its variations with genotypes. Journal of Cereal Science, 50, 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2009.02.005
Padhan, B. K., Sathee, L., & Jain, V. (2020a). Nitrogen remobilization and its importance in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 90(12), 2251–2261
Padhan, B. K., Sathee, L., Kumar, S., Chinnusamy, V., Krishnan, S. G., & Kumar, A. (2023b). Nitrogen dose dependent changes in leaf greenness, crop phenology, grain nitrogen content and yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.) sub-species. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 83(2), 1–3.
Padhan, B. K., Sathee, L., Kumar, S., Chinnusamy, V., & Kumar, A. (2023a). Variation in nitrogen partitioning and reproductive stage nitrogen remobilization determines nitrogen grain production efficiency (NUEg) in diverse rice genotypes under varying nitrogen supply. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1093581.
Padhan, B. K., Sathee, L., Meena, H. S., Adavi, S. B., Jha, S. K., & Chinnusamy, V. (2020b). CO2 elevation accelerates phenology and alters carbon/nitrogen metabolism vis-à-vis ROS abundance in bread wheat. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.01061
Peng, S. (2010). Improving nitrogen fertilization in rice by site-specific N management: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 30, 649–656.
Piazza, S. P., Puton, B. M., Dallago, R. M., de Oliveira, D., Cansian, R. L., Mignoni, M., & Paroul, N. (2021). Production of benzyl cinnamate by a low-cost immobilized lipase and evaluation of its antioxidant activity and toxicity. Biotechnology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00586
Qiu, X., Pang, Y., Yuan, Z., Xing, D., Xu, J., Dingkuhn, M., Li, Z., & Ye, G. (2015). Genome-wide association study of grain appearance and milling quality in a worldwide collection of indica rice germplasm. PLoS ONE, 10, e0145577. https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0145577
Salo-vaananen, P. P., & Koivistoinen, P. E. (1996). Determination of protein in foods: Comparison of net protein and crude protein (N× 6.25) values. Food Chemistry, 57(1), 27–31.
Schulte auf’m Erley, G., Begum, N., Worku, M., Bänziger, M., & Horst, W. J. (2007). Leaf senescence induced by nitrogen deficiency as indicator of genotypic differences in nitrogen efficiency in tropical maize. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 170(1), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.1002/JPLN.200625147
Sinto, A., Sathee, L., Singh, D., Jha, S. K., Adavi, B. S., Kumar, R. R., Chinnusamy, V., & Singh, M. P. (2022). Elevated CO2 and nitrogen dose affect grain ionome, grain morphology and associated gene expression in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 82(2), 143–152.
Slafer, G. A., Savin, R., & Sadras, V. O. (2014). Coarse and fine regulation of wheat yield components in response to genotype and environment. Field Crops Research, 157, 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FCR.2013.12.004
Tanabata, T., Shibaya, T., Hori, K., Ebana, K., & Yano, M. (2012). SmartGrain: high-throughput phenotyping software for measuring seed shape through image analysis. Plant Physiology, 160, 1871–1880. https://doi.org/10.1104/PP.112.205120
Tian, G. L., Gao, L. M., Kong, Y. L., Hu, X. Y., Xie, K. L., Zhang, R. Q., Ling, N., Shen, Q. R., & Guo, S. W. (2017). Improving rice population productivity by reducing nitrogen rate and increasing plant density. PLoS ONE, 12, e0182310. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182310
Ueda, Y., Ohtsuki, N., Kadota, K., Tezuka, A., Nagano, A. J., Kadowaki, T., Kim, Y., Miyao, M., & Yanagisawa, S. (2020). Gene regulatory network and its constituent transcription factors that control nitrogen-deficiency responses in rice. New Phytologist, 227, 1434–1452. https://doi.org/10.1111/NPH.16627
Xuan, Y., Yi, Y., Liang, H. E., Wei, S., Chen, N., Jiang, L., & Li, T. (2020). Amylose content and RVA profile characteristics of noodle rice under different conditions. Agronomy Journal, 112, 117–129.
Ye, Y., Zhao, K., Ma, J., Huang, L., & Zhuang, H. (2022). Post-anthesis nitrogen dynamic models and characteristics of rice combined with sowing date and nitrogen application rate. Sustain, 14, 4956–4956. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU14094956
Yoshida, H., & Horie, T. (2010). A model for simulating plant N accumulation, growth and yield of diverse rice genotypes grown under different soil and climatic conditions. Field Crops Research, 117(1), 122–130.
Zhang, Z., Gao, S., & Chu, C. (2020). Improvement of nutrient use efficiency in rice: Current toolbox and future perspectives. TAG Theoretical and Applied Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-019-03527-6
Zuo, J., & Li, J. (2014). Molecular genetic dissection of quantitative trait loci regulating rice grain size. Annual Review of Genetics, 48, 99–118. https://doi.org/10.1146/ANNUREV-GENET-120213-092138
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute for funding and the necessary facilities. BK acknowledges ICAR-IARI for the fellowship support received during the study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualization of research (LS and BKP); Designing of the experiments (LS, VC, GK, SK, AK, DK, NCG); Contribution of experimental materials (SK, AK, VC, GK); Execution of field/lab experiments and data collection (BKP); Analysis of data and interpretation (BKP, LS); Preparation of the manuscript (BKP, LS).
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Padhan, B.K., Sathee, L., Kumar, S. et al. Nitrogen dose dependant changes in grain morphology parameters are correlated with grain protein and yield traits in field-grown diverse rice genotypes. Plant Physiol. Rep. 28, 490–499 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-023-00752-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-023-00752-6