Background Enhancing grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice is of great importance for sustainable agricultural development. Little effort has been made to increase grain yield and NUE of direct‐seeded rice under the double‐cropping system in South China. Field trials were conducted during 2018–2020 with four treatments, including nitrogen‐free, farmers' fertilization practice (FP), ‘three controls’ nutrient management (TC), and simplified and nitrogen‐reduced practice (SNRP). Results Grain yield under SNRP averaged 6.46 t ha−1 during the three years and was 23.0% higher than that of FP but comparable to that of TC. Recovery efficiency (REN), agronomic efficiency (AEN), and partial factor productivity (PFPN) of nitrogen under SNRP increased by 12.0–22.7%, 159.3–295.0% and 94.6–112.5% respectively compared with FP. Harvest index and sink capacity increased by 7.3–10.8% and 14.9–21.3% respectively. Percentage of productive tillers (PPT) and biomass after heading increased by 24.0% and 104.5% respectively. Leaf nitrogen concentration at heading and nitrogen accumulation after heading increased by 16.3% and 842.0% respectively. Grain yield was positively correlated with PPT, sink capacity, harvest index, biomass and nitrogen accumulation after heading, REN, AEN, and PFPN. Conclusion Grain yield and NUE under SNRP were superior to those under FP and comparable to those under TC. Increase in sink capacity, higher PPT, more biomass and nitrogen accumulation after heading, and greater harvest index were responsible for high grain yield and NUE in SNRP with reduced nitrogen fertilizer and labor input. SNRP is a feasible approach for direct‐seeded rice under a double‐cropping system in South China. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
BACKGROUND Previous studies found that mixed cropping combined with duck co‐culture (MCDC) system could improve the efficiency of grain production and positively affect soil nutrient contents. However, the effects on grain quality, and profitable income have not been evaluated yet. In this study, a field experiment with four combinations of different rice varieties and ducks was conducted during both the early and late rice growing seasons. RESULTS The field survey demonstrated that MCDC system significantly decreased the grain appearance of chalky rice rate and the chalkiness degree with an average of 56.82%, and 54.28%, respectively. Leaf SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, and aboveground dry weight were all improved in the MCDC and mixed‐cropping systems, relative to the mono‐cropping system. The net income obtained from the mono‐cropping, mixed cropping (no ducks), and MCDC (with ducks) systems (from grain and ducks' meat) was 581.2 USD ha−1 yr−1, 1001.8 USD ha−1 yr−1, and 5242.1 USD ha−1 yr−1 in both growing seasons, respectively. CONCLUSION Planting genetically diverse rice varieties and co‐culture with ducks increased rice growth rates, productivity and grain quality. The MCDC system would provide more ecological and economic benefits compared with the conventional mono‐cropping system. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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