Enlarged Sink Capacity and Optimized Population Physiological Characteristics are Key to High Yield in Conventional Japonica Rice
Received date: 2025-06-27
Accepted date: 2025-09-01
Online published: 2026-02-03
Clarifying the photosynthetic and population characteristics of conventional japonica rice at different yield levels is crucial for boosting yield and ensuring food security. Therefore, a two-year field trial with two conventional japonica varieties was conducted at four planting densities: 16 cm × 30 cm (D1), 14 cm × 30 cm (D2), 12 cm × 30 cm (D3), and 10 cm × 30 cm (D4). This study aimed to investigate how photosynthetic and population characteristics influence grain yield under varying planting densities. The results indicated that higher yields were primarily driven by increased grain weight and seed-setting rate (with a 9.68%‒11.40% higher single panicle weight), supported by optimized dry matter translocation and source-sink relationships. Elevated planting density (D2‒D4) enhanced panicle number and total spikelet number (by 3.91%‒15.00%) but reduced the number of spikelets per panicle, 1000-grain weight, and photosynthetic efficiency due to mutual shading. Despite these trade-offs, yield increased by 4.10%‒12.42% under higher densities. The use of planting density D4 in japonica rice cultivation contributed to maximize yield. These findings provide important theoretical insights and practical significance for increasing the yield of conventional japonica rice and ensuring food security.
Zhang Haipeng, Mi Kailiang, Chen Ting, Zhang Muyan, Xu Fangfu, Zhang Hongcheng . Enlarged Sink Capacity and Optimized Population Physiological Characteristics are Key to High Yield in Conventional Japonica Rice[J]. Rice Science, 2026 , 33(1) : 113 -128 . DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.10.004
| [1] | Cao Y Y, Zhong Z J, Wang H Y, et al. 2022. Leaf angle: A target of genetic improvement in cereal crops tailored for high-density planting. Plant Biotechnol J, 20(3): 426-436. |
| [2] | Chang T G, Zhu X G, 2017. Source-sink interaction: A century old concept under the light of modern molecular systems biology. J Exp Bot, 68(16): 4417-4431. |
| [3] | Chang T G, Song Q F, Zhao H L, et al. 2020. An in situ approach to characterizing photosynthetic gas exchange of rice panicle. Plant Methods, 16(1): 92. |
| [4] | Chen S, Yin M, Zheng X, et al. 2019. Effect of dense planting of hybrid rice on grain yield and solar radiation use in southeastern China. Agron J, 111(3): 1229-1238. |
| [5] | Chen T T, Ma J Y, Xu C M, et al. 2022. Increased ATPase activity promotes heat-resistance, high-yield, and high-quality traits in rice by improving energy status. Front Plant Sci, 13: 1035027. |
| [6] | Cheng Y X, Xiao F, Huang D Y, et al. 2024. High canopy photosynthesis before anthesis explains the outstanding yield performance of rice cultivars with ideal plant architecture. Field Crops Res, 306: 109223. |
| [7] | Deng N Y, Grassini P, Yang H S, et al. 2019. Closing yield gaps for rice self-sufficiency in China. Nat Commun, 10(1): 1725. |
| [8] | Duan M Y, Luo H W, Pan S G, et al. 2019. High transplant density cause loss yield and quality decrement by affecting photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and transportation in super rice. Appl Ecol Env Res, 17(3): 6069-6079. |
| [9] | Dun C P, Wang R, Mi K L, et al. 2024. One-time application of controlled-release bulk blending fertilizer enhances yield, quality and photosynthetic efficiency in late japonica rice. J Integr Agric, 23(11): 3672-3691. |
| [10] | Fei L W, Yang S C, Ma A L Y, et al. 2023. Grain chalkiness is reduced by coordinating the biosynthesis of protein and starch in fragrant rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain under nitrogen fertilization. Field Crops Res, 302: 109098. |
| [11] | Guo C C, Yuan X J, Wen Y F, et al. 2023. Common population characteristics of direct-seeded hybrid indica rice for high yield. Agron J, 115(4): 1606-1621. |
| [12] | Han Y L, Liao J Y, Yu Y, et al. 2017. Exogenous abscisic acid promotes the nitrogen use efficiency of Brassica napus by increasing nitrogen remobilization in the leaves. J Plant Nutr, 40(18): 2540-2549. |
| [13] | Hao S, Wang G G, Yang Y T, et al. 2024. Promoting grain production through high-standard farmland construction: Evidence in China. J Integr Agric, 23(1): 324-335. |
| [14] | Hu Q, Jiang W Q, Qiu S, et al. 2020. Effect of wide-narrow row arrangement in mechanical pot-seedling transplanting and plant density on yield formation and grain quality of japonica rice. J Integr Agric, 19(5): 1197-1214. |
| [15] | Huang M, Tang Q Y, Ao H J, et al. 2017. Yield potential and stability in super hybrid rice and its production strategies. J Integr Agric, 16(5): 1009-1017. |
| [16] | Huang M, Chen J N, Cao F B, et al. 2018. Increased hill density can compensate for yield loss from reduced nitrogen input in machine-transplanted double-cropped rice. Field Crops Res, 221: 333-338. |
| [17] | Jiang H, Thobakgale T, Li Y Z, et al. 2021. Construction of dominant rice population under dry cultivation by seeding rate and nitrogen rate interaction. Sci Rep, 11(1): 7189. |
| [18] | Jiang Z R, Yang H Y, Zhu M C, et al. 2023. The inferior grain filling initiation promotes the source strength of rice leaves. Rice, 16(1): 41. |
| [19] | Li A, Zhang J, Wang X Y, et al. 2023. Differences in the metabolites of brown and milled rice grains of semiwaxy and conventional japonica varieties. J Food Sci, 88(12): 5309-5323. |
| [20] | Li G H, Cheng G G, Li L, et al. 2020. Effects of slow-released fertilizer on maize yield, biomass production, and source-sink ratio at different densities. J Plant Nutr, 43(5): 725-738. |
| [21] | Li G H, Zhang Y, Zhou C, et al. 2024. Agronomic and physiological characteristics of high yield and nitrogen use efficient varieties of rice: Comparison between two near-isogenic lines. Food Energy Secur, 13(2): e539. |
| [22] | Lin X Q, Zhou W J, Zhu D F, et al. 2005. Effect of SWD irrigation on photosynthesis and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Field Crops Res, 94(1): 67-75. |
| [23] | Liu Q H, Zhou X B, Li J L, et al. 2017. Effects of seedling age and cultivation density on agronomic characteristics and grain yield of mechanically transplanted rice. Sci Rep, 7(1): 14072. |
| [24] | Liu W Y, Gai D S, Liang J N, et al. 2025. Paclobutrazol enhances lodging resistance and yield of direct-seeded rice by optimizing plant type and canopy light transmittance. Field Crops Res, 331: 109882. |
| [25] | Meng T Y, Zhang X B, Ge J L, et al. 2022. Improvements in grain yield and nutrient utilization efficiency of japonica inbred rice released since the 1980s in eastern China. Field Crops Res, 277: 108427. |
| [26] | Meng X S, Pan Y H, Chai Y X, et al. 2024. Higher light utilization and assimilate translocation efficiency produced greater grain yield in super hybrid rice. Plant Soil, 504(1/2): 529-544. |
| [27] | Meng X Y, Ran C, Liu B L, et al. 2023. Effect of straw return with nitrogen fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics and yield of rice in soda saline-alkali rice paddy fields. Cereal Res Commun, 51(2): 509-526. |
| [28] | Savidov N A, Tokarev B I, Lips S H. 1997. Regulation of Mo-cofactor, NADH- and NAD(P)H-specific nitrate reductase activities in the wild type and two nar-mutant lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). J Exp Bot, 48: 847-855. |
| [29] | Si F F, Fan F F, Xiao W, et al. 2022. uantitative trait locus mapping of high photosynthetic efficiency and biomass in Oryza longistaminata Rice Sci, 29(6): 569-576. |
| [30] | Sun L M, Hussain S, Liu H Y, et al. 2015. Implications of low sowing rate for hybrid rice varieties under dry direct-seeded rice system in Central China. Field Crops Res, 175: 87-95. |
| [31] | Tian G L, Gao L M, Kong Y L, et al. 2017. Improving rice population productivity by reducing nitrogen rate and increasing plant density. PLoS One, 12(8): e0182310. |
| [32] | Tian J Y, Li S P, Cheng S, et al. 2023. Increasing the appropriate seedling density for higher yield in dry direct-seeded rice sown by a multifunctional seeder after wheat-straw return. J Integr Agric, 22(2): 400-416. |
| [33] | Wang H, Li Y, Chern M, et al. 2021. Suppression of rice miR168 improves yield, flowering time and immunity. Nat Plants, 7(2): 129-136. |
| [34] | Wei H H, Yang Y L, Shao X Y, et al. 2020. Higher leaf area through leaf width and lower leaf angle were the primary morphological traits for yield advantage of japonica/indica hybrids. J Integr Agric, 19(2): 483-494. |
| [35] | Yang C, Yang D S, Xiang H S, et al. 2025. Varietal improvement is a feasible approach for achieving high yield and superior quality simultaneously in ratoon rice. Field Crops Res, 322: 109772. |
| [36] | Yang D Q, Cai T, Luo Y L, et al. 2019. Optimizing plant density and nitrogen application to manipulate tiller growth and increase grain yield and nitrogen-use efficiency in winter wheat. PeerJ, 7: e6484. |
| [37] | Yang G T, Wang X C, Nabi F, et al. 2021. Optimizing planting density and impact of panicle types on grain yield and microclimatic response index of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.). Int J Plant Prod, 15(3): 447-457. |
| [38] | Yang J R, Yang K, Lv C H, et al. 2023. Effects of moderate water deficit on the accumulation and translocation of stem non-structural carbohydrates, yield and yield components in a sink-limited rice variety under elevated CO2 concentration. J Plant Growth Regul, 42(7): 4350-4359. |
| [39] | Yang L S, Lakshmanan P, Tu D B, et al. 2025. Co-benefits of yield and nitrogen use efficiency gains through combined use of controlled-release urea and conventional urea in rice. Food Energy Secur, 14(1): e70043. |
| [40] | Yao F X, Huang J L, Cui K H, et al. 2012. Agronomic performance of high-yielding rice variety grown under alternate wetting and drying irrigation. Field Crops Res, 126: 16-22. |
| [41] | Ye M, Wang Z Y, Wu M, et al. 2024. Optimized leaf anatomy improves photosynthetic producing capacity of mid-season indica rice in the Yangtze River Basin during the genetic improvement. Eur J Agron, 158: 127196. |
| [42] | Yuan S, Stuart A M, Laborte A G, et al. 2022. Southeast Asia must narrow down the yield gap to continue to be a major rice bowl. Nat Food, 3(3): 217-226. |
| [43] | Zhang H, Jing W J, Zhao B H, et al. 2021. Alternative fertilizer and irrigation practices improve rice yield and resource use efficiency by regulating source-sink relationships. Field Crops Res, 265: 108124. |
| [44] | Zhang H W, Jiang S C, Du B, et al. 2023. Tillage intensity and planting density significantly affected photosynthesis, growth, and yield of rice. J Plant Growth Regul, 42(4): 2662-2671. |
| [45] | Zhao Y, Guo B, Liu Z L, et al. 2024. A meta-analysis of elevated O3 effects on herbaceous plants antioxidant oxidase activity. PLoS One, 19(6): e0305688. |
| [46] | Zhu X C, Zhang J, Zhang Z P, et al. 2016. Dense planting with less basal nitrogen fertilization might benefit rice cropping for high yield with less environmental impacts. Eur J Agron, 75: 50-59. |
| [47] | Zhuang G D, Mai Y M, Ren Y, et al. 2025. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles regulate the growth, antioxidant response, and photosynthetic pigments in fragrant rice seedlings under different light and nitrogen levels. J Plant Growth Regul, 44(5): 2213-2234. |
| [48] | Zou Y, Hassan M A, Xu E D, et al. 2024. Evaluation of breeding progress and agronomic traits for japonica rice in Anhui Province, China (2005-2024). Agronomy, 14(12): 2957. |
/
| 〈 |
|
〉 |