Nutrition Accumulation, Remobilization, and Partitioning in Rice on No-Tillage Soil

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of no-tillage (NT) on nutrient uptake, remobilization, and partitioning in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Results showed that nitrogen (N) concentrations in stem and panicle in NT were lower than those in conventional tillage (CT). However, leaf N concentration was relatively higher in NT plants after heading stage. No significant difference was found in phosphorus (P) concentration between two tillage treatments before heading stage. However, at mature stage, NT had higher P concentration in panicle. The NT plants had higher potassium (K) concentrations in both leaf and stem than CT ones before heading stage. At maturity stages, the difference about the nutrient accumulation between the two tillage treatments varied with plant organs. The NT plants had significantly higher stem and leaf nutrient accumulations than CT ones at late stages, while at early stage, the difference between the two tillage treatments varied with location and year. Both N and K harvest index (NHI and KHI) was significantly higher in NT plants than in CT plants, but the difference between the two tillage treatments in P harvest index (PHI) was changeable over year and location. The NT plants had lower nutrient utilization efficiency in comparison with CT plants.

Keywords:

• nutrition
• rice
• tillage
• yield

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We appreciate Department of Science and Technology of Zhejiang for its financial support (2005C12024). Thanks are also given to Crop Research Institute of Xiaoshan and Agricultural bureau of Jiaxing, Zhejiang for their kind help.