Response of root development and nutrient uptake of two chinese cultivars of hybrid rice to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in Sichuan Province, China

Background Chemical fertilization helped modern agriculture in grain yield improvement to ensure food security. The response of chemical fertilization for higher hybrid rice production is highly dependent on optimal fertilization management in paddy fields. To assess such responses, in the current work we examine the yield, root growth, and expression of related genes responsible for stress metabolism of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in two hybrid-rice cultivars Deyou4727 (D47) and Yixiangyou2115 (Y21). Methods and results The experiment followed four nitrogen (N) (N 0 , N 60 , N 120, and N 180 kg/ha) and phosphorus (P) (P 0 , P 60 , P 90 , and P 120 kg/ha) fertilizer levels. The grain yield in D47 was more sensitive to nitrogen application, while Y21 was more sensitive to phosphorus application, which resulted in comparatively higher biomass and yield. Our findings were corroborated by gene expression studies of glutamine synthetase OsGS1;1 and OsGS1;2 and phosphate starvation-related genes PHR1 and SPX , confirming sensitivity to N and P application. The number of roots was less sensitive to nitrogen application in D47 between N 0 and N 60 , but the overall nutrient response difference was significantly higher due to the deep rooting system as compared to Y21. Conclusions The higher yield, high N and P use efficiency, and versatile root growth of D47 make it suitable to reduce unproductive usage of N and P from paddy fields, improving hybrid rice productivity, and environmental safety in the Sichuan basin area of China.