@article{Liu2026, 
author = {Zichen Liu and Liyan Shang and Shuaijun Dai and Jiayu Ye and Tian Sheng and Jun Deng and Ke Liu and Shah Fahad and Xiaohai Tian and Yunbo Zhang and Liying Huang},
title = {Optimizing nitrogen application and planting density improves yield and resource use efficiency via regulating canopy light and nitrogen distribution in rice},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Integrative Agriculture (JIA)},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {81-91},
keywords = {canopy light and N distribution, nitrogen input, planting density, high yield and high efficiency, hybrid rice},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1016/j.jia.2024.04.006},
doi = {10.1016/j.jia.2024.04.006},
abstract = {Coordinating light and nitrogen (N) distribution within a canopy is essential for improving rice yield and resource use efficiency. However, limited research has examined light and N distribution in response to planting density and N rate, and their relationships with grain yield, radiation use efficiency (RUE), and N use efficiency for grain production (NUEg) in rice. A two-year field experiment was conducted with two hybrid varieties under three N levels, 0 kg ha–1 (N1), 90 kg ha–1 (N2) and 180 kg ha–1 (N3), and two planting densities, 22.2 hills m–2 (D1) and 33.3 hills m–2 (D2). Results showed 3.4% higher yield and 4.4% higher NUEg under N2D2 compared with N3D1. The extinction coefficient for N (KN) and light (KL) and their ratio (KN/KL) at heading stage were significantly influenced by N rate, planting density, and their interaction. KN decreased with the increase of N input or planting density. Compared to N1, KN decreased by 43.5 and 58.8% under N2 and N3, respectively, while KN under D2 decreased by 16.0% compared to D1. Higher KL and KN/KL values occurred under low N rates, with opposite trends under high N rates. Increased planting density led to decreased KL and KN/KL values. N2D2 demonstrated higher KL and KN, and thus comparable KN/KL, compared to N3D1. Correlation analysis revealed KL negatively correlated with RUE, while KN and KN/KL positively correlated with NUEg. These findings indicate that increasing planting density under reduced N input could maintain rice yield while enhancing resource use efficiency through regulation of canopy light and N distribution.}
}