By Jamie Martin
Rice cultivation is vital for over 3.5 billion people but relies on heavy nitrogen fertilizer that is costly and polluting. A joint study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Jiangnan University offers a sustainable solution.
Researchers applied nanoscale selenium directly onto rice plants using drones. The plants absorbed the element quickly, increasing photosynthesis by more than 40 percent. This boost sent extra carbohydrates to the roots, encouraging stronger root systems and fostering beneficial microbes.
These microbes helped rice draw more nitrogen from soil, increasing nitrogen use efficiency from 30 percent to 48.3 percent. Farmers were able to cut nitrogen fertilizer by 30 percent while keeping yields high. Greenhouse gas emissions of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide fell by up to 45.6 percent, and economic returns improved by over 38 percent.
Grain quality also improved with higher protein, key amino acids, and selenium content, giving consumers more nutrition.
“The Green Revolution massively boosted agriculture output during the middle of the last century,” said Baoshan Xing, University Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, director of UMass’ Stockbridge School of Agriculture, and co-senior author of the new research. “But that revolution is running out of steam. We need to figure out a way to fix it and make it work.”
Because rice production uses nearly one fifth of the world’s nitrogen fertilizer, this nano selenium technique provides a promising path to reduce costs, feed more people, and protect the environment.
Photo Credit: istock-digitalsoul
Categories: National