Rice Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 14-23 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 16 indicators, such as soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, and nutrient availability, thereby supporting sustainable crop production (Sharma et al., 2019; Patra et al., 2022; Walia et al., 2024). By fostering a healthy soil ecosystem, INM not only enhances current crop yields but also ensures the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. Figure 1 Contrasting influences of sole chemical fertilizer vs. integrated nutrient management on the nitrogen pools, mineralization, leaching, and volatilization fluxes (Adopted from Bhardwaj et al., 2023) 4 Case Region and Field Application Example 4.1 Case selection 1 4.1.1 Major rice-producing area in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province Yangzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, is a significant rice-producing area characterized by a subtropical climate with distinct seasons, which is conducive to rice cultivation. The region's soil types include clay, loamy, and sandy soils, each affecting rice root development and grain quality differently under various irrigation regimes (Can et al., 2021). The cropping system in Yangzhou often involves rice monoculture, but there are also integrated systems like rice-green manure rotation and rice-duck co-culture, which are gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits (Figure 2) (Gao et al., 2023). Jiangsu Province, including Yangzhou, predominantly cultivates japonica rice varieties, which have seen improvements in grain yield and nutrient use efficiency over the decades (Meng et al., 2022). However, challenges remain in maintaining high grain quality, particularly under high nitrogen levels, which can deteriorate eating and cooking quality due to increased protein content (Gu et al., 2015). Efforts to improve grain quality focus on optimizing nitrogen management and breeding practices to balance yield and quality.
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