RGG_2025v16n1

Rice Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 14-23 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 14 Case Study Open Access Improving Rice Grain Quality Through Integrated Nutrient Management Yuchao Shen Deqing Xingqing Family Farm Co., Ltd. Deqing, 313217, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 786699255@qq.com Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.1 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0002 Received: 02 Dec., 2024 Accepted: 10 Jan., 2025 Published: 20 Jan., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Shen, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Shen Y.C., 2025, Improving rice grain quality through integrated nutrient management, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 16(1): 14-23 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0002) Abstract Improving rice grain quality is a key objective in modern agriculture, aiming to meet the diverse consumer demands for nutrition, appearance, and palatability. This study reviews the effects of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on major rice quality traits, including milling quality, appearance, eating quality, and nutritional composition. A field trial was conducted in a representative rice-producing area of Jiangsu Province, China, to evaluate the potential of INM strategies in enhancing grain quality. The experiment combined organic fertilizers, controlled-release fertilizers, and scientifically timed fertilization schedules to achieve precise nutrient regulation. Results showed that INM significantly improved the head rice recovery rate, reduced grain chalkiness, and promoted the accumulation of protein, zinc, and iron. Additionally, eating quality indicators such as gel consistency and taste scores were enhanced, while rice yield remained stable. This study highlights the importance of integrating precision fertilization with soil health management and aims to provide a practical foundation for the sustainable production of high-quality rice. Keywords Rice grain quality; Integrated nutrient management; Milling quality; Nutritional composition; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Rice is a staple food for nearly half of the global population, making its quality a critical factor in modern agriculture. The quality of rice grains is influenced by various factors, including the methods of stand establishment, water management, soil type, and nutrient management. These factors collectively impact the nutritional content, grain weight, and milling quality of rice, which are essential for meeting the dietary needs of a growing population (Midya et al., 2021; Zahra et al., 2022). Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance rice grain quality by optimizing the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. This method not only improves the yield and nutritional quality of rice but also contributes to soil health and sustainability (Mangaraj et al., 2022; Urmi et al., 2022; Chowdhury et al., 2024). The application of INM has shown significant improvements in rice yield and nutrient use efficiency, which are crucial for maintaining soil fertility and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity (Sharma et al., 2019; Urmi et al., 2022). Integrated nutrient management ensures a balanced nutrient supply to crops and improves soil health by combining chemical, organic and biofertilizers. This study will evaluate different nutrient management strategies, explore their impact on rice quality, analyze the specific needs of rice cultivation, and strive to find the best combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers to improve rice production systems to maximize yield and nutritional quality, promote food security and sustainable agricultural development. 2 Overview of Rice Grain Quality Traits 2.1 Physical appearance The physical appearance of rice grains is a critical factor influencing consumer preference and market value. Key traits include the milled rice ratio and chalkiness. The milled rice ratio refers to the proportion of whole grains obtained after milling, which is a significant indicator of milling quality. High milling quality is associated with a higher recovery of whole grains, which is desirable for both producers and consumers (Zhou et al., 2019; Gong et al., 2023). Chalkiness, on the other hand, refers to the opaque areas in rice grains that affect their visual appeal. It

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