Rice Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 61-70 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 61 Research Insight Open Access Improving Rice Yield under Direct Seeding through Synergistic Water and Fertilizer Management Dengjun Liu 1,2 1 Youhe Youmi Agricultural Development (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd., Pinghu, 314200, Zhejiang, China 2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 806972515@qq.com Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.2 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0006 Received: 12 Jan., 2025 Accepted: 26 Feb., 2025 Published: 08 Mar., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Liu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liu D.J., 2025, Improving rice yield under direct seeding through synergistic water and fertilizer management, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 16(2): 61-70 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0006) Abstract This study focuses on the role of integrated water and fertilizer management in improving yield, quality, and resource use efficiency in direct-seeded rice systems. The findings reveal that comprehensive practices combining Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) with Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM), controlled-release fertilizers, and precise nitrogen management significantly enhance yield components, water productivity, and nitrogen use efficiency in direct-seeded rice. Simultaneously, these strategies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses, mitigating environmental impacts. Case studies further validate the practical effectiveness of these approaches, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving high yields and sustainability in direct-seeded rice systems. This study underscores the critical importance of water and fertilizer synergy in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of direct-seeded rice, aiming to provide actionable solutions for addressing global food security challenges under resource constraints and offering directions for sustainable rice production. Keywords Direct-seeded rice (DSR); Water and fertilizer synergy; Precision nutrient management; Alternate wetting and drying (AWD); Sustainable rice production 1 Introduction Direct-seeded rice (DSR) systems have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional transplanted rice due to their reduced labor and water requirements, which are critical in the face of increasing resource scarcity and labor shortages (Xu et al., 2019; Bhandari et al., 2020; Rathika et al., 2020). However, DSR systems often face challenges such as lower yields compared to transplanted rice, primarily due to issues like poor crop establishment, high weed infestation, and suboptimal nutrient management (Sandhu et al., 2021). Therefore, improving rice yield under DSR systems is crucial for ensuring food security and sustainability in rice production, especially in regions where water and labor are limiting factors (Xu et al., 2019; Bhandari et al., 2020). Effective water and fertilizer management are pivotal in enhancing the productivity of DSR systems. Studies have shown that precision nitrogen management and optimized irrigation strategies can significantly improve grain yield, water productivity, and nutrient use efficiency in DSR (Kumar et al., 2019; Pratap et al., 2022). For instance, the integration of soil matric potential-based irrigation strategies with precise nitrogen application has been demonstrated to maximize yield while minimizing water input (Kumar et al., 2019). Additionally, the use of soil test-based fertilizer applications has been found to enhance nutrient uptake and yield, further highlighting the importance of synergistic management practices (Singh et al., 2021). These strategies not only improve yield but also contribute to better resource use efficiency and environmental sustainability (Kumar et al., 2019; Singh et al., 2021; Pratap et al., 2022). This study investigates the synergistic effects of water and fertilizer management on improving rice yield under direct-seeded conditions. By exploring various management strategies, this study aims to identify optimal practices that enhance yield, resource use efficiency, and economic returns in DSR systems, and hopes that the findings are expected to provide valuable insights into developing sustainable and efficient rice production systems that can address the challenges posed by resource constraints and environmental concerns.
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