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2025 Vol.70, Issue 4 Preview Page

Original Research Article

Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Rice by Reduced Nitrogen Fertilizations
Yuna Chang1
,
Jwakyung Sung2*
1MS Student, Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
2Professor, Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
*Corresponding Author
1 December 2025. pp. 193-201
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Abstract

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is critical for enhancing rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity, while mitigating its environmental impacts. This study evaluated the effects of three N application practices—conventional split (N1: 50–30–20 %), top-dressing only (N2: 0–30–20 %), and basal only (N3: 50–0–0 %)—on growth, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), carbohydrate metabolism, and sugar transporter gene expression in rice (cv. Ungwang). N2 significantly reduced tillering and biomass; however, it exhibited the highest nitrogen harvest index (NHI), indicating enhanced N remobilization to grains. N3 improved NUE by 46 % and promoted higher soluble sugar and starch accumulation in both shoots and grains. Reduced N inputs (N2 and N3) upregulated the sucrose transporter genes OsSWEET11 and OsSUT1 at later grain–filling stages, supporting stronger source–sink dynamics. Principal component analysis linked N3 with nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and grain starch accumulation and N2 with NHI and grain soluble sugars. These findings highlight that adjusting N2 and N3 practices can optimize NUE and carbohydrate allocation, offering a sustainable approach for rice production.

Keywords
carbohydrate metabolism
nitrogen fertilization
nitrogen utilization efficiency
rice
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Crop Science
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국작물학회
  • Journal Title :The Korean Journal of Crop Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국작물학회지
  • Volume : 70
  • No :4
  • Pages :193-201
  • Received Date : 2025-08-11
  • Revised Date : 2025-09-16
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-23
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2025.70.4.193
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