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Leaf Color Chart-Based Nitrogen Management Affects Rice Enzyme Activities and Maintains Soil Nitrogen Balance

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  • Jichao Tang

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
    Wuhan Tanhe International Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430075, China)

  • Wenxuan Zhang

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Xi Niu

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Chengfang Li

    (MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Cougui Cao

    (MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Dongliang Xiong

    (MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Ying Zhang

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jianhua Qu

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Bin Wang

    (Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Tianqi Liu

    (School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

Abstract

Real-time nitrogen (N) management based on the leaf color chart (LCC) is considered a potential alternative to traditional farmer practices. However, its physiological mechanisms for enhancing rice N utilization and its effects on paddy field N balance remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the potential enzymatic mechanisms underlying LCC’s influence on rice N use and quantify the impact of LCC on paddy field N balance. In 2022 and 2023, a single-factor randomized block design experiment was conducted during the rice planting season. Four N treatments: no N (ONF), farmers’ conventional practices + urea [FNR] as the control, LCC + urea [SSNM1], LCC + controlled-release urea [SSNM2] were administered. Rice yield and N uptake were positive correlations with nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities, which were higher under SSNM1 and SSNM2 compared with FNR, but were negative correlation with proteinase activity. Moreover, SSNM1 and SSNM2 increased rice yield by 9.2% and 9.4%, N uptake by 15.4% and 15.3%, and N use efficiency by 46.9% and 65.0%, and reduced reactive N losses by 46.2% and 66.7%, respectively. The annual net soil N inputs under FNR, SSNM1, and SSNM2 were 12.6, 8.9, and 4.2 kg N ha −1 , respectively. LCC-based N management increased N uptake and rice yield by enhancing the activities of NR, GS, GPT, GOT, and GDH while reducing protease activity. Moreover, LCC maintained soil N supply capacity even with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application.

Suggested Citation

  • Jichao Tang & Wenxuan Zhang & Xi Niu & Chengfang Li & Cougui Cao & Dongliang Xiong & Ying Zhang & Jianhua Qu & Bin Wang & Tianqi Liu, 2025. "Leaf Color Chart-Based Nitrogen Management Affects Rice Enzyme Activities and Maintains Soil Nitrogen Balance," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:17:p:1861-:d:1738668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lowder, Sarah K. & Skoet, Jakob & Raney, Terri, 2016. "The Number, Size, and Distribution of Farms, Smallholder Farms, and Family Farms Worldwide," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 16-29.
    2. Jun Sugai & Naoya Takashima & Koki Muto & Takatoki Kaku & Honoka Nakayama & Naomi Asagi & Masakazu Komatsuzaki, 2024. "Effects of Cover Crops on Soil Inorganic Nitrogen and Organic Carbon Dynamics in Paddy Fields," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, December.
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