Enhancing Rice Yield and Yield Components with Integrated Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Nitroxin Biofertilizer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Agriculture, La.C.,Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.

10.22126/cbb.2025.13070.1124

Abstract

Introduction: Rice is one of the world's most significant food crops, and increasing its yield is essential for global food security. Although nitrogen fertilizer plays a key role on enhancing rice grain yield, its use efficiency is low, and its improper application leads to environmental pollution and increased costs. Therefore, the integrated use of chemical and bio-fertilizers has been considered a strategy to improve nitrogen use efficiency and achieve sustainable agriculture. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer levels and methods of nitroxin biofertilizer inoculation on the yield and yield components of two rice cultivars, Hashemi and Kian, under the climatic conditions of Guilan.
Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted as a split-split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rasht during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The treatments included nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 60, 80, and 100 kg.ha⁻¹) in the main plots, rice varieties (Hashemi and Kian) in the sub-plots, and methods of nitroxin biofertilizer inoculation (control without inoculation, seed inoculation, and seedling root inoculation) in the sub-sub plots. Morphological traits, yield components, grain yield, and quality indices (amylose content and gelatinization temperature) were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS software.
Results: The results showed that the interaction effect of nitrogen level and variety was significant for most of the studied traits. Increasing nitrogen application up to 100 kg.ha⁻¹ improved all growth traits and yield components in both varieties. The Kian variety demonstrated superiority in the number of fertile tillers, 1000-grain weight, and ultimately, grain yield at all nitrogen levels. The highest grain yield (5100 kg.ha⁻¹) obtained from Kian under the 100 kg N.ha⁻¹ + root inoculation treatment. The application of biofertilizer, particularly through seed and root inoculation methods, significantly increased plant height, panicle length, number of fertile tillers, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield compared to the control treatment (no inoculation). The varieties responded differently to the inoculation method; the number of fertile tillers was most improved in Hashemi by seed inoculation and in Kian by root inoculation. Qualitatively, only the effect of variety on amylose content was significant, with Kian having higher amylose. The gelatinization score was also influenced by fertilizer and biofertilizer treatments, remaining within the desirable range (3.7 to 4.3).
Conclusion: In general, the results of this research indicated that the integrated application of 100 kg N.ha⁻¹ along with seedling root inoculation using nitroxin biofertilizer, by improving yield components, leads to the highest quantitative yield in both Hashemi and Kian rice varieties. This strategy can help increase production while moving towards reducing chemical fertilizer consumption and preserving the environment.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Ashouri, M. 2014. Water use efficiency, irrigation management and nitrogen utilization in rice production in the North of Iran. Procedia APCBEE, 8, 70-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcbee.2014.03.003.
Ashoori, M., Esfahani, M., Abdollahi, Sh., & Rabiei, B. 2014. Effect of foliar application of organic complements on grain yield, yield components and quality in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. Crop research, 3(4), 291-305. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.22520163.1392.3.4.6. [In Persian]
Bakhshandeh, E., Rahimian, H., Pirdashti, H.A., & Nematzadeh, G.A. 2014. Phosphate solubilization potential and modeling of stress tolerance of rhizobacteria from rice paddy soil in northern Iran. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 30, 2437-2447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-014-1669-1.
Bakhshandeh, E., Pirdashti, H., Gholitabar Faramarzi, M., Zholideh Rodposhti, T., & Zaefarian, F. 2024. Improving the growth, yield and uptake of potassium and zinc elements in rice (Oryza sativa L.) affected by the plaht growth promoting rhizobacteria under optimal and reduced levels of chemical fertilizer. Journal of Cros Improvement, 26(2), 275-291. https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2024.363304.2839. [In Persian]
Daemi, F., MahmoudSoltani, Sh., Esfahani, M., & Majodian, M. 2020. The effect of phosphorous fertilizer splitting on morphological charaters, yield and yield components of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Hashemi and Guilaneh). Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research, 51(9), 2379-2392. https://doi.org/10.22059/IJSWR.2020.303674.668635. [In Persian]
Dobermann, A., & Fairhurst, T. 2000. Rice: Nutrient disorders & nutrient management. Handbook series. Potash acid Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPIC) and International Rice Research Institute. pp: 19.
Divsalar, O., Abbasian, A., Nasiri, M., & Abbasi, R. 2025. Growth-promoting bacteria effect on the morphological and qualitative traits of rice plants under different levels of chemical and organic fertilizers. Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 34(4), 45-65. https://doi.org/10.22034/SAPS.2023.56467.3041. [In Persian]
Ebadi, A.A., & Halajian, M.T. 2021. Kian, New rice variety tolerant to drought stress. Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Rice Research Institute of Iran, 66, 1-12. [In Persian]
Elikaee, M.N., Mehri, Sh., Espidkar, Z., & Ansari, M.H. 2018. Effect of plant growth stimulating bacteria on yield and yield components of rice under different vermicompost levels. Crop Physiology Journal, 38(10), 95-110. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.2008403.1397.10.38.6.8. [In Persian]
Habibi, H., Yahyazadeh, A., Hosseini-Chaleshtori, M., & Tajaddoditalab, K. 2012. Evaluation of gelatinization properties in Iranian rice varieties by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Cereal Research, 2(2): 95-105. [In Persian]
IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). 2014. Standard Evaluation System for rice (SES). 5th Edition, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines.
Hasani Balyani, M., Tadayon, M.R., & Fadaei Tehran, A.A. 2020. Evaluation of some growth and yield traits of Camelina sativa L. under the influence of biological and chemical fertilizers. Journal of Crop Production and Processing, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.47176/jcpp.10.1.209111. [In Persian]
Jabbari-oranj, M., Moghadam, H. Jahansouz, M.R., Ahmadi, A., & Motesharezadeh, B. 2023. Effect of deficit irrigation, planting date and biofertilizers on agro-morphological traits, leaf nitrogen and carbon concentration and seed yield on quinoa under Ardabil conditions. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 21(1), 75-89. https://doi.org/10.22067/jcesc.2022.76560.1170 [In Persian]
Jalali Moridani, M., Sadeghi, S.M., Mohammadian Roshan, N., & Ashouri, M. 2022. Investigation the effect of fertilizer btype on quantitative and qualitative yield of two rice cultivars under different conditions of water stress. Iranian Journal of Seed Science and Research, 9(2), 79-97. https://doi.org/10.22124/jms.2022.6156. [In Persian]
Jemberu, T., Togashi, M., & Urayama, H. 2015. Nitrogen fertilizer application timing on growth and yield of Nerica4 and Japanese rice variety toyohatamochi. International Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Science, 5, 91-97. http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/irjas.2015.030
Juliano, B.O. 1971. Rice: Chemistry and Technology. The American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. 774p. https://doi.org/10.1016/0308-8146%2887%2990086-0
Kavoosi, M., & Yazdany, M.R. 2020. Effect of irrigation interval and nitrogen fertilizer rate on grain yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Hashemi. Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences, 22(2), 168-182. http://dx.doi.org/10.29252/abj.22.2.168 [In Persian]
Little, R.R., Hilder, G.B., & Dawson, E.H. 1958. Differential effect of dilute alkali on 25 varieties of milled rice. Cereal Chemistry, 35, 111-126.
Mahdavi, F., Esmaeili, M.A., Fallah, A., & Pirdashti, H. 2006. Study of morphological characteristics, physiligical indices, grain yield and its components in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Iranian Journal of Crop Scienses, 7(4), 280-297. [In Persian]
Mohammadian, M., Astaraei, A.R., Lakzian, A.L., Emami, H., and Kavoosi, M. 2019. Evaluation and comparsion of the effect of different application methods and sources of nitrogen on nitrogen use efficiency of Hashemi rice variety. Journal of Soil Research, 34 (1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijsr.2020.122092. [In Persian]
Moslehi, N., Niknejad, Y., Fallah Amoli, H., & Kheyri, N. 2016. Effect of integrated application of chemical, organic and biological fertilizers on some of the morphophysiological traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) Tarom Hashemi cultivar. Crop Physiology Journal, 8(30), 87-103. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.2008403.1395.8.30.6.8. [In Persian]
Maurya, R., Dorenchabd Singh, T., Jones Shullai, H., Mary Kurkalang, S., & Momin, T.G. 2020. Effect of nitrogen fertilization on rice: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 9(3), 2127-2130.
Nahvi, M., Babazadeh, Sh., & Sabouri, H. 2010. Effect of rate and split application of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components in (Bahar) hybrid rice cultivar. Iranian Journal of Field crops Research, 8(5), 845-854. https://doi.org/10.22067/GSC.V815.8027. [In Persian]
Niknejad, Y., Daneshian. J., Shirani Rad, A.H., & Pirdashti, H. 2014. Evaluation the efficiency of growth promoting bacteria on yield and yield component of rice under deficit irrigation and reduced rates of nitrogen. Agronomy Journal, 112, 9-19. [In Persian]
Niknejad, Y., Zamani, M.H., Falah, A., & Nasiri, M. 2017. Evaluation of nitrogen fertilizer rates and planting space on agronomic traits of 8615 rice line. Applied Field Crops Research, 29(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.22092/AJ.2016.112582. [In Persian]
Sagar, A., Sayyed, R.Z., Ramteke, P.W., Ramakrishna, W., Poczai, P., Al Obaid, S., &Ansari, M.J. 2022. Synergistic effect of Azotobacter nigricans and nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer on agronomic and yield traits of maize (Zea mays L.). Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.952212.
Shahdi Kumleh, A., Seyedi, S.R., Haghighi Hasanalideh, A., & Karamniya, S. 2021. Effect of source and application rate of organic fertilizers on grain yield and quality of local and improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences, 23(3), 278-289. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.15625540.1400.23.3.6.4. [In Persian]
Sohrabi, T., Movahhedi Dehnavi, M., Salehi, A., & Balouchi, H.R. 2023. Effect of nitroxin bio-fertilizer application accompanied with nitrogen on canola (Brassica napus) yield quantity and quality. Journal of Crop Production and Processing, 12(4), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.47176/jcpp.12.4.22453. [In Persian]
Syuan-Lu, C., & Huang, Ch.H. 2023. Effects of Azotobacter and carbon dioxide concentrations on the growth and yield of rice plants grown in two paddy soils. Agronomy, 13(2998), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122998.
Wang, D.Y. 2017. 15N tracer-based analysis of genotypic diferences in the uptake and partitioning of N applied at diferent growth stages in transplanted rice. Field Crop Researsh, 211, 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.06.017
Yazdani, A., Niknejad, Y., & Khairi, N.A. 2015. Effect of planting pattern and split application of nitrogen fertilizer on qualitative traits and grain of rice (Oryza sativa L.) var. Koohsar in second cropping. Applied Research of Plant Ecophysiology, 2(1), 121-134. [In Persian]
Zhang, A.P., Liu, R.L., Gao, J., Yang, S.Q., & Chen, Z. 2014. Regulating N application for rice yield and sustainable eco-agro development in the upper reaches of Yellow River rasin. China Science World Journal, 1, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/239279
Zou, Y., Zhang, Y., Cui, J., Gao, J., Guo, L., & Zhang, Q. 2023. Nitrogen fertilization application strategies improve yield of the rice cultivars with different yield types by regulating phytohormones, Scientific Reports, 13, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48491-w.
Cereal Biotechnology and Biochemistry
Volume 4, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
September 2025
Pages 373-397

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics