Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 104-112 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 104 Meta Analysis Open Access Meta-Analysis of Rice Yield Improvement Techniques: Lessons from Global Practices ChaoWang Zhuji City Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 1170828465@qq.com Plant Gene and Trait, 2025, Vol.16, No.3 doi: 10.5376/pgt.2025.16.0012 Received: 14 Apr., 2025 Accepted: 17 May, 2025 Published: 25 May, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wang, 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: Wang C., 2025, Meta-analysis of rice yield improvement techniques: lessons from global practices, Plant Gene and Trait, 16(3): 104-112 (doi: 10.5376/pgt.2025.16.0012) Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for over half of the world's population, making its yield improvement crucial for global food security. This meta-analysis synthesizes findings from various studies to evaluate the effectiveness of different rice yield improvement techniques. The analysis covers water management practices, responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 and ozone concentrations, biochar applications, and nutrient management strategies. Water management techniques such as alternate wetting and drying have been shown to reduce methane emissions significantly but may slightly decrease yields. Elevated CO2 levels generally increase rice yields, although this effect can be mitigated by elevated ozone levels and higher temperatures. Biochar application improves soil health and increases rice yields while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nutrient management, particularly the interaction between nitrogen and potassium, enhances canopy performance and overall yield. The findings underscore the importance of integrated, location-specific approaches to rice cultivation that consider environmental impacts and sustainability. Keywords Rice yield improvement; Water management; Elevated CO2; Biochar application; Nutrient management 1 Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a fundamental staple food for nearly half of the world’s population, making it one of the most crucial crops for global food security (Ainsworth, 2008; Awad et al., 2018; Guo et al., 2021). The demand for rice is continuously increasing due to the growing global population, necessitating significant improvements in rice yield to meet future food requirements (Guo et al., 2021; Ye et al., 2021). As a primary source of nutrition, rice plays a vital role in the diets of billions of people, particularly in Asia, where it accounts for a substantial portion of daily caloric intake (Vishwakarma et al., 2023). The importance of rice extends beyond nutrition, as it also contributes to the economic stability of many developing countries where rice farming is a major livelihood (Ara et al., 2016). Achieving sustainable improvements in rice yield is fraught with challenges, including environmental stresses, climate change, and the need for efficient agricultural practices. Climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and increased greenhouse gas emissions, poses a significant threat to rice production. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) have been shown to impact rice yields negatively, with elevated O3 reducing yield by 14% and elevated temperatures negating the benefits of increased CO2 (Ainsworth, 2008). Additionally, water management practices, such as non-continuous flooding, while reducing methane emissions, can also lead to a slight decrease in yield (Aloryi et al., 2022). Soil health and nutrient management, particularly the interactions between nitrogen and potassium, are critical for improving canopy performance and overall yield (Iqbal et al., 2016). Furthermore, the genetic complexity of rice and the need for stable, high-yielding varieties that can withstand biotic and abiotic stresses add to the challenge (Vishwakarma et al., 2023). This study synthesizes the global research on rice yield improvement techniques to identify effective strategies and practices that can be widely applied across the globe. It evaluates the impact of environmental factors, such as climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, on rice yield, assesses the effectiveness of various agricultural practices-including water management and nutrient optimization- in enhancing rice productivity, and explores advancements in genetics and biotechnology with potential for yield improvement. By integrating findings from
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