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2025 Vol.70, Issue 4 Preview Page

Short communication

Effect of Nitrogen Application to Agronomic Nitrogen Efficiency and Grain Yield in Rice: A Meta-Analysis
Dain Hong1
,
Sunyoung Lee1
,
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. 389-396
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Abstract

Nitrogen application is crucial in improving rice productivity; however, its excessive use typically reduces nitrogen-use efficiency and introduces environmental problems. To quantitatively evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on agronomic nitrogen efficiency (AE) and grain yield, a meta-analysis was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data from 24 independent studies were analyzed using a random-effects model, and the effect sizes were adjusted using the trim-and-fill method. The mean-effect size of the AE was 3.76 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.98–4.54), whereas that of the grain yield was 3.06 (95% CI: 2.41–3.70). Meanwhile, their pooled-effect sizes were 3.42 and 2.33, respectively, with adjustment for publication bias. Subgroup analysis revealed that the AE peaked at 101–150 kg·ha-1, whereas the yield reached its maximum at 251–300 kg·ha-1. These findings suggest that optimizing nitrogen input can enhance both agronomic and environmental efficiencies. This meta-analysis highlights the importance of optimizing nitrogen input to achieve high AE and grain yield in rice production systems.

Keywords
agronomic nitrogen efficiency
grain yield
Meta-Analysis
Rice
nitrogen application
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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 :389-396
  • Received Date : 2025-11-22
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-27
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-27
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2025.70.4.389
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