Sustainable intensification for a larger global rice bowl

Abstract

Future rice systems must produce more grain while minimizing the negative environmental impacts. A key question is how to orient agricultural research & development (R&D) programs at national to global scales to maximize the return on investment. Here we assess yield gap and resource-use efficiency (including water, pesticides, nitrogen, labor, energy, and associated global warming potential) across 32 rice cropping systems covering half of global rice harvested area. We show that achieving high yields and high resource-use efficiencies are not conflicting goals. Most cropping systems have room for increasing yield, resource-use efficiency, or both. In aggregate, current total rice production could be increased by 32%, and excess nitrogen almost eliminated, by focusing on a relatively small number of cropping systems with either large yield gaps or poor resource-use efficiencies. This study provides essential strategic insight on yield gap and resource-use efficiency for prioritizing national and global agricultural R&D investments to ensure adequate rice supply while minimizing negative environmental impact in coming decades.

Seed priming with selenium and zinc nanoparticles modifies germination, growth, and yield of direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…Rice plays a major role in achieving global food security but the crop now is under several threats, including yield stagnation in major rice-producing regions, negative environmental impacts of the overuse of irrigation water and agrochemicals, high labour requirements which is under short supply, and increasing concerns of loss of natural habitats due to intensive rice cultivation 1 – 3 . In particular, traditional puddled-transplanted rice (PTR) requires more irrigation water and labour than direct-seeded rice (DSR) 4 .…”

Closing Greenhouse Gas Emission Gaps of Staple Crops in China

“…Sustainable agriculture requires not only improving crop yields but also substantially reducing the environmental impacts of intensification or achieving sustainable intensification. 20,26,27 Our scenario analysis quantifies the contribution of different strategies in closing the emission gaps between regions in China.…”

“…This scenario was inspired by studies on closing yield gaps. , Improving crop yields is critical for reducing the need for additional land (or extensification), but it has been achieved most through intensification, which also carries a grave environmental cost. Sustainable agriculture requires not only improving crop yields but also substantially reducing the environmental impacts of intensification or achieving sustainable intensification. ,, Our scenario analysis quantifies the contribution of different strategies in closing the emission gaps between regions in China.…”

Effects of Wx Genotype, Nitrogen Fertilization, and Temperature on Rice Grain Quality

“…According to the present results, we propose that cultivars with medium amylose levels, most of which carry a Wx b or Wx la allele, cultivated with low nitrogen fertilization will always exhibit superior quality, and the avoidance of HTs will be beneficial for better appearance quality. However, global warming is occurring and nitrogen fertilization is the most effective way to maintain or increase yield despite the reduced production brought about by HTs (Peng et al, 2004;Yuan et al, 2021). Therefore, the challenge will be to breed good quality rice cultivars with tolerance to HT under optimum nitrogenous fertilization at the lowest cost of quality.…”