High nitrogen use efficiency rice variety for reduced fertilizer application
Research and breeding program developing rice varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency to reduce fertilizer requirements. A promising line (S20) maintains yield under reduced nitrogen supply, enabling sustainable rice production with lower input costs and environmental impact.
Overview
This research program focuses on developing rice varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to reduce fertilizer requirements while maintaining yield. Rice production in regions such as Jiangsu Province typically requires 300-350 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer. A promising rice line, designated S20, has demonstrated the ability to maintain nearly identical yields under both reduced (250 kg/ha) and standard (350 kg/ha) nitrogen supply conditions. This finding supports the hypothesis that selecting and breeding high-NUE rice varieties can significantly reduce nitrogen fertilizer use, lowering input costs for farmers and decreasing environmental impacts associated with nitrogen runoff.
Technical specifications
Research approach:
- Identification of the S20 rice line as a high nitrogen use efficiency genotype
- Cross-breeding S20 with several local rice varieties to develop improved regional lines
- Construction of genetic populations for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to identify genes associated with nitrogen use efficiency
- Genotyping and phenotyping of populations to pinpoint QTL regions controlling NUE
- Development and field testing of new candidate varieties under varying nitrogen supply levels to confirm yield stability and reduced fertilizer requirements
Key features:
- Yield maintenance at approximately 250 kg/ha nitrogen compared to conventional 350 kg/ha application
- Potential reduction of nitrogen fertilizer use by roughly 30%
- Integration of NUE traits into locally adapted rice varieties suited to Jiangsu Province and similar rice-growing regions
Technology readiness level
The program is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. The S20 line has been validated for yield stability under reduced nitrogen conditions. Genetic populations have been developed through crossing S20 with local varieties. Future work includes completing QTL mapping through genotyping and phenotyping, developing new candidate varieties, and conducting multi-level nitrogen supply trials to confirm performance. The research is positioned to advance toward variety release and commercialization through the university's technology transfer and industry engagement programs.
About Nanjing Agricultural University
Nanjing Agricultural University is a public research university with an agricultural focus in Nanjing, advancing national and regional priorities through integrated basic-to-applied research and field training. Industry engages through experimental farms, field stations, controlled-environment facilities, and pilot processing spaces for prototyping and scale‑up. An industry liaison team supports sponsored research, testing services, and joint labs, while regional demonstration sites speed on‑farm trials across the Yangtze River Delta. Research is supported by national and provincial programs, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology. A technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup incubation.
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