To investigate the application efficacy of microbial concentrate formulations in green, high-quality, and high-efficiency rice cultivation, and to clarify their field value in controlling rice false smut, stabilizing yields, increasing production, and improving quality and efficiency, a large-scale field demonstration trial was conducted in 2025 across major rice-growing regions in southern China, including Guangxi and Guangdong. The experiment adopted a two-stage microbial application strategy—at the seedling stage and the booting stage—with conventional fertilization (without microbial concentrate) as the control. Key parameters including panicle traits, disease control efficacy, yield, and economic returns were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that across eight early rice demonstration sites, the microbial treatment increased average panicle length by a net 0.89 cm (a 3.6% rise) compared to the control, while significantly enhancing post-flood stress recovery capacity. In late rice demonstration areas, the two-stage application technique achieved a grain yield of 445.8 kg/667 m², representing a 14.7% increase over the control (388.7 kg/667 m²). The treatment also suppressed rice false smut balls and infected tiller clusters at rates of 85.5% and 85.0%, respectively. Furthermore, it markedly improved grain market quality: the procurement price per kilogram of paddy rose by 0.34 CNY, and the comprehensive income per 667 m² increased by 288.50 CNY compared to the control. These findings indicate that the two-stage microbial application technology delivers multiple benefits—green disease control, stress resilience, stable yields, yield enhancement, quality improvement, and economic gains. With strong adaptability and consistent performance, this technique provides a practical foundation and technical support for developing and scaling green, high-yield rice cultivation systems in southern China.

In response to the prevalent occurrence of pests and diseases and the pressing need for pesticide reduction and quality improvement in the double-cropping rice area of Changsha City, an integrated pesticide reduction technology system centered on prioritizing biological control and implementing cascaded pest management was established and demonstrated on a large scale from 2021 to 2025. This system integrates agricultural ecological regulation, physical and chemical trapping technologies, and precise chemical control tailored to specific growth stages, thereby establishing a framework for green pest control throughout the entire rice growth period. Implementation was facilitated through measures such as pest monitoring and early warning, demonstration base construction, technical training and guidance, and specialized unified prevention and control. During the demonstration period, the commercial consumption of chemical pesticides in the region decreased from 4 041.49 t to 3 603.84 t, representing an average annual reduction rate of 2.71%. Concurrently, the coverage rate of green prevention and control for food crops increased from 44.40% to 61.20%, demonstrating significant efficacy in pest suppression and input reduction. This technology system provides a replicable practical model and technical support for promoting pesticide reduction and facilitating green, high-quality, and efficient rice production in double-cropping rice regions with similar ecological conditions in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Low temperature is a critical environmental factor constraining the stable and high yield of rice. Against the backdrop of climate variability, the threat of chilling injury to rice at various growth stages has become increasingly prominent. This paper systematically reviews the effects of low-temperature stress on rice growth and development, as well as its physiological and molecular mechanisms, covering key processes such as morphological damage, changes in membrane permeability, oxidative stress, photoinhibition, and energy metabolism imbalance. It summarizes the comprehensive response and adaptation mechanisms established by rice through antioxidant systems, heat shock proteins, osmotic regulators, hormone networks, and energy sensing systems (e.g., SnRK1/TOR). Furthermore, feasible techniques for enhancing rice cold tolerance in production are outlined, including optimizing sowing dates, cold acclimation, synergistic fertilizer-water management, exogenous regulators, and improved cultivation measures. Finally, key future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the need to construct regional chilling avoidance and mitigation systems through the deep integration of genetic improvement and cultivation regulation, thereby providing support for ensuring stable rice production and national food security.

Chlorophyll serves as the material basis for photosynthesis in rice, and its content and dynamic changes act as an important physiological link between cultivation practices and yield formation. Nitrogen application rate and planting density are two agronomic factors regulating rice population structure, light-use efficiency, and yield establishment. This review systematically summarizes the metabolic regulatory mechanisms governing chlorophyll synthesis and degradation in rice. It highlights the physiological and ecological mechanisms by which nitrogen management directly modulates chlorophyll metabolism via nitrogen metabolic pathways, while planting density indirectly influences chlorophyll accumulation and degradation by altering field microenvironments of light and temperature. Furthermore, the paper elucidates the quantitative relationships between chlorophyll content and key agronomic traits, including photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, yield components, and nitrogen use efficiency. It clarifies the physiological basis and technical pathways for optimizing nitrogen application regimes and planting densities—and thereby constructing high-yielding cultivation systems—based on chlorophyll-related physiological indicators. Additionally, this review synthesizes recent advances in the application of remote sensing technologies and crop models for precise nitrogen-density regulation and dynamic yield prediction in rice. Finally, considering current research gaps, we propose future screening strategies for chlorophyll-related traits in breeding programs aimed at high yield and efficiency, and outline the developmental trajectory of smart rice cultivation technologies. This work aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for establishing sustainable rice cultivation models characterized by “reduced nitrogen input, optimized dense planting, enhanced stress resilience, and high productivity.”

To further investigate the effects of high-water-level intermittent irrigation under the application of slow-release fertilizer on rice growth characteristics, yield, soil nitrogen content, and water use efficiency, a rice planting pit experiment was conducted from May to September 2024 in the Zhanghe Irrigation District using the rice variety Zuanliangyou Chaozhan. The experiment included two irrigation modes: high-water-level intermittent irrigation (labeled W₁) and conventional-water-level intermittent irrigation (labeled W₂), as well as two fertilizer types: slow-release fertilizer (labeled N₁) and conventional fertilizer (labeled N₂). Among these, the W₁N₁ treatment adopted an orthogonal design with four factors and three levels, precisely controlling different gradient water levels during the rice reviving stage (labeled A), early tillering stage (labeled B), jointing and booting stage (labeled C), and heading and flowering stage (labeled D). The experimental results showed that the W₁N₁ treatment more significantly promoted rice tillering and plant height growth. Specifically, high-water-level control during the reviving stage and the heading and flowering stage had a greater impact on rice plant height and tillering. In terms of dry matter accumulation, the W₁N₁ treatment outperformed the W₂N₂ treatment, with high-water-level control during the heading and flowering stage having the most pronounced effect on dry matter accumulation at the yellow maturity stage. Regarding yield, the highest rice yield was observed under the A3B1C2D2N₁ treatment, reaching 7 931.88 kg/hm². Compared with the W₂N₂ treatment, the average yield under the W₁N₁ treatment was 18.17% higher. In terms of total soil nitrogen content, the W₁N₁ treatment increased at an average level by 11.82% compared to the W₂N₂ treatment. For irrigation water use efficiency, the A3B1C2D2N₁ and A2B3C1D2N₁ treatments showed increases of 19.18% and 13.05%, respectively, compared to the W₂N₂ treatment. High-water-level control during the heading and flowering stage had the greatest impact on both yield and irrigation water use efficiency. In summary, under slow-release fertilizer conditions, adopting high-water-level intermittent irrigation can promote rice plant height growth, increase tiller number, enhance dry matter accumulation, improve yield and total soil nitrogen content, and under specific water-level controls, effectively increase irrigation water use efficiency.

To investigate the synergistic effects of combined application of flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) and biochar on soil improvement and rice growth in coastal saline-alkali land, this study was conducted on typical coastal saline-alkali soils with different ratios of FGD gypsum to biochar. The effects of the treatments on soil salinity, physicochemical properties, aggregate stability, enzyme activities, and rice yield were systematically analyzed. The results showed that the combined application significantly reduced soil salinization: soil pH decreased by 0.46-0.76 units, and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) dropped significantly by 35.27%-60.48%. Meanwhile, the treatment markedly improved soil nutrient status, with available phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and organic matter contents increasing by 10.57%-65.43%, 16.68%-35.38%, and 11.54%-32.55%, respectively; soil bulk density also exhibited a decreasing trend. In terms of soil structure, the combined treatment optimized aggregate composition: large aggregate content, mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) increased significantly by 3.43%-10.74%, 9.83%-26.30%, and 11.04%-36.76%, respectively. Additionally, soil enzyme activities were significantly activated: sucrase, phosphatase, catalase, nitrate reductase, and polyphenol oxidase activities increased by 12.39%-55.71%, 17.67%-56.74%, 8.40%-28.54%, 28.57%-73.33%, and 17.99%-65.40%, respectively. Based on the soil quality evaluation using the full dataset, the B1F3 treatment (application of 6 000 kg/hm² FGD gypsum + 3 750 kg/hm² biochar) demonstrated the best comprehensive amelioration effect and the highest rice yield, making it a preferred mode for soil improvement and fertility enhancement in coastal saline-alkali land that can be promoted as a demonstration model.

In this study, we selected paddy fields contaminated with arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) in Luxi County, Yunnan Province, as the experimental site. Twenty-six japonica rice varieties provided by the Food Crops Research Institute of the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences were used as test materials. At the mature stage of rice, the heavy metal contents in the soil, as well as in the stems-leaves and brown rice, were determined. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs) were subsequently calculated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce the dimensionality of multiple evaluation indicators. Combined with the membership function method, a comprehensive evaluation value (D-value) was constructed to systematically assess the accumulation and translocation capacities of different japonica varieties regarding the four heavy metals. varieties with low comprehensive heavy metal accumulation were preliminarily screened, and a stepwise regression model was established to simplify the evaluation indicators. The results indicated that varieties differences significantly affected heavy metal contents in various plant parts, with a greater impact observed in stems-leaves than in brown rice. Furthermore, varieties variations influenced the translocation capacity of different heavy metals, exerting the greatest effect on Pb translocation and the minimal effect on Cd translocation. Correlation analysis revealed that the accumulation processes of the four heavy metals in the tested japonica plants were relatively independent; notably, heavy metal content in brown rice primarily depended on the translocation capacity from stems-leaves to brown rice. Based on the comprehensive evaluation results and yield performance, Jinyou 331 was recommended as the suitable japonica rice cultivar for planting in the multi-metal contaminated soils of Luxi County.

Rice noodles are a traditional staple food in southern China, primarily made from indica rice. The physicochemical properties of indica rice, particularly its amylose content (AC), play a decisive role in determining the quality of fresh wet rice noodles. To investigate differences in noodle quality among indica rice varieties with high and similar amylose contents, three high-AC indica rice varieties (Qingluzhan 11, Guichao 2, and Guichao 13) were selected as experimental materials, with one low-AC variety (Yangdao 6) serving as the control. The study systematically compared the physicochemical properties of the different rice varieties, the processing characteristics, and the sensory quality of the resulting fresh wet rice noodles. The results showed significant differences in the physicochemical properties of the three high-AC indica rice varieties: Qingluzhan 11 had the highest amylose content, the softest gel consistency, and extremely low viscosity; Guichao 13 exhibited the highest pasting temperature. Analysis of noodle quality revealed that, compared with the low-AC control variety Yangdao 6, the fresh wet rice noodles produced from the three high-AC varieties all displayed lower starch leaching rates and breakage rates, along with a dense structure, higher hardness, and good cooking resistance and shaping stability. Among the high-AC varieties, quality differences were also evident: although Qingluzhan 11 had the lowest adhesiveness, it showed the highest starch leaching value and breakage rate, and the lowest sensory evaluation score. This was attributed to incomplete gelatinization of its starch granules and overly soft gel consistency. In addition, compared with Guichao 2, Guichao 13 produced noodles with higher hardness and lower adhesiveness, but a higher starch leaching value and relatively lower sensory score, which was directly related to its highest pasting temperature. These findings indicate that high amylose content is an essential prerequisite for high-quality indica rice varieties used in rice noodle production, but appropriate gel consistency, viscosity, and pasting temperature also play important regulatory roles in determining the quality of fresh wet rice noodles. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the targeted breeding of indica rice varieties specialized for rice noodle production and the development of high-quality fresh wet rice noodle products.

To address issues such as delayed seed germination and uneven seedling emergence in rice production, this study investigated the regulatory effects of low-temperature drying duration and gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment on seed germination across different rice subspecies and identified optimal seed pretreatment protocols. Using the indica rice cultivars 9311 and R208 and the japonica rice cultivars NG98 and NG10 as materials, a gradient drying treatment at 30 ℃ (0-8 d) combined with priming using 100 mg/L GA₃ was implemented. Germination metrics including germination rate, germination energy, and germination index were measured and analyzed, and the effects of treatments were comprehensively evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA). The results demonstrated that under identical conditions, the germination speed and uniformity of indica rice seeds were significantly superior to those of japonica rice. The thousand-grain weight stabilized after 3 days of drying at 30 ℃, while germination metrics initially decreased and subsequently increased with prolonged drying duration. After 8 days of drying, all cultivars exhibited favorable germination characteristics, with germination rates exceeding 90%. Exogenous GA₃ priming significantly enhanced the germination index, with a more pronounced regulatory effect observed in indica rice. PCA revealed that drying duration was the dominant factor in breaking rice seed dormancy, contributing 76.2% to the variance, whereas GA₃ treatment played a significant synergistic role, contributing 16.1%. In conclusion, drying at 30 ℃ for 8 days represents the optimal pretreatment protocol for breaking rice seed dormancy and enhancing germination vigor. These findings provide experimental evidence and technical support for optimizing rice seed pretreatment and enabling precision sowing in field production.

Heading date is one of the key agronomic traits in rice, and in-depth mining of heading date-related QTLs/genes is of great significance for breeding widely adaptable, high-yielding rice varieties. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between japonica rice M494 and indica rice Zhong 9B (Z9B) was used, together with a high-density Bin genetic map. Over two years of trials, six QTLs controlling heading date were detected, located on chromosomes 1, 2, 8, and 10, and named qHD1-1, qHD1-2, qHD2, qHD8, qHD10-1, and qHD10-2. The LOD values of these QTLs ranged from 2.82 to 11.86, and the phenotypic variance explained by each QTL ranged from 4.03% to 18.33%. Among them, qHD8 had the highest contribution rate (18.33%), suggesting the presence of as-yet-unidentified heading date-related genes within its interval; qHD10-1 was identified as an allele of the known heading date gene Ehd1; and qHD10-2 represents a newly discovered QTL regulating heading date. These findings provide a theoretical basis and important genetic resources for further fine mapping and cloning of heading date genes, as well as for marker-assisted selection aimed at improving heading date in rice breeding.

To clarify the regulatory effects of planting methods on grain quality of japonica rice in coastal saline-alkali rice regions and to screen suitable high-quality cultivation modes for saline-alkali paddy fields, a two-year (2024—2025) fixed-site field experiment was conducted. Yangeng 2601, Yangeng 2401, Yangeng 219, and Yangeng 2503 were used as test materials. Two planting methods, namely traditional transplanting (TPR) and dry direct seeding (DDSR), were arranged in a completely randomized block design with three field replicates (recorded as “biological replicates” in the original design). Effects of different planting methods on rice milling quality, appearance quality, nutritional quality, and eating quality were evaluated. Results showed that DDSR improved milling quality and significantly reduced chalky grain rate and chalkiness degree relative to TPR. Specifically, DDSR decreased chalky grain rate by 49.75%-90.65% (2024) and 51.10%-85.64% (2025), and chalkiness degree by 66.47%-85.66% (2024) and 71.03%-76.17% (2025) across tested lines. DDSR also significantly lowered amylose and protein contents: reductions were 2.02%-10.97% and 7.15%-17.07% in 2024, and 2.78%-9.76% and 4.07%-26.09% in 2025, respectively. The taste value (instrument-measured) of DDSR rice was 5.91%-37.72% higher than TPR in 2024 and 2.05%-34.69% higher in 2025. Responses of textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness (balance degree), springiness) to planting methods varied among varieties. Overall, DDSR rice exhibited better aroma, gloss, flavor, texture, and overall sensory quality than TPR rice. In summary, DDSR effectively improved the comprehensive grain quality of japonica rice in coastal saline-alkali regions, and the response was variety difference. These findings provide a theoretical basis and technical support for optimizing green, sustainable, high-quality rice cultivation modes in coastal saline-alkali areas.

To elucidate the distribution of rice blast resistance genes in advanced-generation breeding materials, we genotyped 78 rice materials using functional markers for eight known resistance genes (Pia, Pib, Pi5, Pi9, Piks, Pita, Pigm and Pish). This molecular identification of target traits was employed to accelerate the breeding cycle and expedite the development of new resistant cultivars. The results revealed significant variation in the frequency of these resistance genes among the materials. The Pia gene was the most prevalent, with a detection rate of 78.21%, followed by Pi5(66.67%) and Pita(64.10%). In contrast, Pi9 was the rarest, appearing in only 6.41% of the materials. At the individual plant level, genotypes carrying four resistance genes were most common (31 materials, 39.74%), and notably, one line was identified that had pyramided all eight target genes. Regarding hybrid combinations, those incorporating four resistance genes were the most frequent (13 combinations), followed by those with three and five genes (7 and 4 combinations, respectively). Among these, the combinations centered on the Pia+Pib+Pita and Pia+Pi5+Pita+Pish gene sets were the most widespread, each found in 10 materials. Furthermore, sterile lines generally carried more resistance genes than their restorer counterparts. This study systematically clarifies the blast resistance gene profiles in key sterile and restorer lines, providing a crucial theoretical foundation and valuable data for future breeding of resistant parents and the strategic assembly of heterotic hybrids.

Rice security is a vital cornerstone of national food security, and reducing post-harvest losses while preserving quality is crucial for ensuring the stability of both domestic and global grain supply. Based on observability, post-harvest rice losses can be categorized into visible loss and invisible loss: the former refers to direct quantitative reductions caused by mechanical actions such as collision, spillage, and omission, which are relatively easy to monitor and quantify; the latter stems from factors like the grain’s own metabolism and biological infestation, leading to quality deterioration, nutrient loss, and restricted utilization, thereby preventing full resource efficiency and often remaining imperceptible to direct observation. Existing research has predominantly focused on visible post-harvest losses, with insufficient attention paid to invisible losses in the early post-harvest stages (harvesting, drying, and storage). In light of this, drawing on existing studies on grain loss, this paper focuses on analyzing the characteristics of invisible losses in the above three key stages, identifying their critical influencing factors, and proposing targeted reduction strategies. The aim is to enhance the overall quality and safety of China’s rice supply and provide theoretical reference for stabilizing the global grain supply chain.

Rice is a globally important staple food and one of the core raw materials in the food industry. As a green and efficient non-thermal physical processing method, ultrasonic technology demonstrates unique advantages in rice processing due to the synergistic effects of cavitation, mechanical vibration, and thermal effects. These include targeted modification of starch and protein, promotion of nutrient penetration, improvement of cooking and eating quality, and efficient extraction of bioactive compounds, showing broad application prospects. This paper systematically introduces the mechanism of ultrasonic technology and focuses on analyzing its specific applications in rice starch modification, protein structure regulation, safety-related substance detection, extraction of nutrients and bioactive compounds, and improvement of cooked rice quality. The aim is to provide theoretical references for enhancing the eating quality of rice and promoting its high-value utilization.

Selenium-enriched rice, as a type of nutritionally fortified agricultural product, has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Based on relevant literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2005 to 2025, this study employed bibliometric methods combined with VOS viewer software for visual analysis, systematically reviewing the developmental trajectory and frontier dynamics of the selenium-enriched rice field. The results indicate that the annual number of publications in this field shows a steady growth trend, with research interest continuously increasing. China ranks first globally in terms of total publications, citation frequency, and H-index, serving as the core research force in this area, with domestic policy orientation providing the main driving force for its development. Environmental science, plant science, and food science and technology are the dominant disciplines, exhibiting significant interdisciplinary integration in their distribution. Key current research hotspots include selenium biofortification, interaction effects between selenium and heavy metals (such as cadmium and arsenic), transformation patterns of selenium species, and food safety and health risk assessment. A multi-scale progressive research system has been established, covering key dimensions such as elemental biogeochemical behavior in agroecosystems, element migration, transformation, and control mechanisms in soil-rice systems, agronomic fortification strategies, and physiological and molecular regulation mechanisms. This study providing important references for researchers to identify research directions and conduct innovative studies, as well as for decision-making bodies to optimize research layout and formulate industrial policies.

To elucidate the common traits underlying the coordinated achievement of high yield and superior grain quality in super three-line indica hybrid rice, this study compiled data from 85 super three-line indica hybrid rice cultivars released in China between 2005 and 2025. Based on yield and amylose content as key indicators, cluster analysis classified these cultivars into six distinct groups: hard-texture low-yield, medium-hard-texture low-yield, hard-texture medium-yield, medium-hard-texture medium-yield, medium-hard-texture high-yield, and soft-texture high-yield. Systematic comparisons were conducted on growth characteristics, yield components, and grain quality traits across the six groups to identify the common characteristics of soft-texture high-yielding cultivars, thereby providing a theoretical basis for breeding and cultivation practices. The results demonstrated that the soft-texture high-yield and medium-hard-texture high-yield groups achieved significantly higher yields, exceeding those of the medium-yield groups by 12.89%-16.16% and the low-yield groups by 32.50%-35.93%. The soft-texture high-yield group exhibited the lowest amylose content, which was significantly reduced by 13.78%-21.29% compared with other groups, while no significant differences in amylose content were observed among the remaining groups. Regarding yield components, the soft-texture high-yield group had the lowest number of productive panicles, which was not significantly different from that of the medium-hard-texture high-yield group but was significantly lower than that of the low-yield groups by 17.69%-20.17%. This group also recorded the highest spikelet number per panicle, showing no significant difference from the medium-hard-texture high-yield group but increasing significantly by 12.65%-39.42% relative to the other groups. The total number of spikelets was highest in the soft-texture high-yield group, representing significant increases of 8.56% and 13.39% over the medium-hard-texture medium-yield and medium-hard-texture low-yield groups, respectively. The 1000-grain weight was highest in this group, with no significant differences observed among medium-and high-yield groups but showing significant increases of 9.21%-11.52% compared with the low-yield groups. No significant differences in grain filling percentage were detected among the six groups. In terms of milling quality, the brown rice rate of the soft-texture high-yield group did not differ significantly from that of the other groups. Its milled rice rate was only significantly higher (by 3.11%) than that of the hard-texture medium-yield group, whereas its head rice rate was significantly elevated by 4.70%-20.38% relative to all other groups. Regarding cooking and appearance qualities, no significant differences were found in protein content, alkali spreading value, or gel consistency among the groups. Although the soft-texture high-yield group tended to exhibit a reduced length-to-width ratio and chalky grain rate, these differences were not statistically significant. However, its chalkiness degree was significantly decreased by 32.96%-42.29% compared with all other groups except the medium-hard-texture high-yield group. Principal component analysis revealed that spikelet number per panicle, total spikelet number, productive panicle number, and 1 000-grain weight were the primary determinants of yield, whereas gel consistency, amylose content, brown rice rate, milled rice rate, length-to-width ratio, alkali spreading value, and chalkiness degree were the main contributors to grain quality. Correlation analysis indicated that in the soft-texture high-yield group, grain yield was significantly positively correlated with growth duration, plant height, panicle length, spikelet number per panicle, total spikelet number, 1 000-grain weight, head rice rate, alkali spreading value, and gel consistency. Conversely, yield was significantly negatively correlated with amylose content, chalkiness degree, and chalky grain rate. In conclusion, compared with other cultivar types, soft-texture high-yielding super three-line indica hybrid rice achieve high yields primarily through significant increases in 1 000-grain weight and spikelet number per panicle, leading to a marked rise in total spikelet number, while maintaining a relatively high grain filling percentage. Concurrently, these cultivars demonstrate synergistic improvements in milling quality (high head rice rate) and appearance quality (low chalkiness degree and a trend toward rounder grains), coupled with a “soft-texture” cooking and eating profile. These advantages are associated with a moderately extended growth duration and increased plant height. Therefore, the promotion of soft-texture high-yielding super three-line indica hybrid rice cultivars facilitates the efficient utilization of temperature and light resources, improves eating quality, and ultimately achieves the coordinated enhancement of both grain quality and yield.

The use of plant protection drones for herbicide spraying is a widely adopted, efficient weed management method among farmers. However, issues such as spray drift and poor deposition remain, making it important to develop safe, economical, and effective aerial application technologies. In this study, a 19% flucetosulfuron SC (34.2 g/hm², active ingredient, same below) and a 300 g/L pretilachlor EC (300 g/hm²) were processed into 2.5 mm granular herbicides. These granules were evenly mixed with regreening fertilizer and applied using a plant protection drone at 9 days after rice transplanting. By measuring rice safety and weed control efficacy at different growth stages, and comparing the method with conventional drone-based herbicide spraying, the economic benefits of rice planting were evaluated. The results indicated that, with this technology, no visible phytotoxicity was observed in any tested rice varieties, and plant height was not inhibited. The method effectively controlled weeds such as barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), Chinese sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis), water amaranth (Amaranthus lividus), and duckweed (Monochoria vaginalis), achieving a total weed control efficacy of ≥91.4%. Compared with the local conventional drone spraying method, this technology reduced costs by at least CNY 48.0 per 667 m² (a cost reduction of 54.5%) and increased rice yield by 13.3 kg per 667 m². In conclusion, the simultaneous application of granular herbicides and regreening fertilizer using plant protection drones did not compromise herbicide efficacy, effectively solved problems of spray drift and poor deposition, and significantly improved the profitability of rice cultivation.

Premature senescence of functional leaves during the late growth stage of rice weakens photosynthetic supply, hinders grain filling, and restricts yield improvement. To determine the optimal application strategy of the anti-senescence nutrient agent “Zhendalang 2.0” for regulating late-stage senescence and increasing yield, multi-location field trials were conducted in Pinghu (Zhejiang), Lincang (Yunnan), and Qujing (Yunnan). The experiment included different foliar spraying stages (5-7 days before initial heading, breaking stage, full heading stage, and 10 days after full heading) and concentration gradients (0, 50, 100, and 150 mL per 667 m²). Yield and its components were systematically investigated, and the SPAD values of functional leaves during the grain-filling period were measured. The results showed that spraying the nutrient agent from the breaking stage to 7-10 days after the full heading stage significantly increased the SPAD value of flag leaves during grain filling. This treatment effectively slowed the chlorophyll degradation rate during the mid-to-late filling stage, delayed functional leaf senescence, and prolonged the duration of photosynthetic capacity. Consequently, it promoted grain filling, reduced unfilled grains, increased the number of filled grains per panicle, improved the seed-setting rate, and enhanced the 1000-grain weight, ultimately leading to a significant yield increase. Notably, the application of 100 mL per 667 m² of “Zhendalang 2.0” at the breaking stage or full heading stage demonstrated the best yield-increasing effect. The yield increase rates were 3.2%-11.8% in Pinghu, 3.6%-10.5% in Lincang, and 4.4%-6.6% in Qujing.

Straw and washed sand sludge are typical agricultural and environmental solid wastes, respectively. The preparation of crop seedling substrates using these materials via a blending technology represents a novel approach to resource utilization of solid waste in agriculture. To clarify the properties of the straw-washed sand sludge (SWS), the quality of seedlings raised in this substrate, and the population development characteristics and yield performance of machine-transplanted rice, a comparative experiment was conducted in Shangyu District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. The study used two rice cultivars, Zhongzaoan 35 (early rice) and Qingliansimiao (late rice), with three treatments: SWS substrate seedling raising (SWS), nutrient soil seedling raising (CK1), and commercial substrate seedling raising (CK2). The results indicated that the contents of total potassium (K₂O), total phosphorus (P₂O₅), total nitrogen, and organic matter in the SWS substrate reached 1.94%, 0.68%, 0.98 g/kg, and 9.25 g/kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the raw sand washing mud. The SWS substrate effectively promoted root system development and accelerated the seedling greening and growth process. Furthermore, the reduced weight per seedling tray significantly lowered labor intensity and saved labor costs, while simultaneously improving the quality of tiller growth in the rice population. Compared with CK1 and CK2, the SWS treatment achieved higher yields primarily by increasing the number of effective panicles, total grains per panicle, and 1 000-grain weight.

Chunjiang 88A is a Dian-type early-maturing late japonica sterile line bred by the China National Rice Research Institute. It exhibits excellent plant and leaf morphology, stable sterility, and favorable traits including early flowering, good outcrossing seed set, high 1000-grain weight, and high multiplication and seed production yield. Using Chunjiang 88A as the female parent and indica-japonica intermediate wide-compatibility restorer lines (T27, Chenghui 17, T301, T8, T6, CH7, and T45) as the male parents, seven indica-japonica hybrid rice combinations were developed: Chunyou 83, Chunchengyou 887, Chunyou 801, Chunyou 888, Chunyou 86, Chunyou 87, and Chunyou 85. All of these combinations have passed national or provincial variety approval. The Chunjiang 88A series of indica-japonica hybrid rice combinations exhibit prominent heterosis, high yield potential, good lodging resistance, excellent grain quality, high seed production yield, and wide ecological adaptability. They are suitable for cultivation in the rice-growing areas of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and have entered the stage of large-scale extension.