What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to evaluate how coordinated application of nitrogen and sulfur affects rice yield and protein concentration.

April 1, 2026Open Access

Coordinated Application of Nitrogen and Sulfur Synergistically Enhances Grain Yield and Grain Protein Concentration of Rice by Regulating Plant Growth

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate how coordinated application of nitrogen and sulfur affects rice yield and protein concentration.
Conducted a two-season field experiment with rice cultivars Jiujiuxiang and Jiuxiangyou.
Tested varying rates of nitrogen (0, 120, 180, 240 kg ha−1) and sulfur (0, 30, 45, 60 kg ha−1).
Measured grain yield and grain protein concentration in response to different nutrient combinations.
Combined nitrogen and sulfur application significantly increased grain yield across both rice cultivars.
The JJX cultivar's grain yield increased by up to 143.2% in Season I and 133.4% in Season II.
Grain protein concentration also improved, with JJX showing increases of up to 43.4%.

Abstract

Simultaneous achievement of high yield and excellent quality in rice is essential for food security and human health. The coordinated application of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) can effectively increase the grain yield (GY) and grain protein concentration (GPC) of rice. A two-season field experiment was conducted to investigate the synergistic effects of combined N and S application on the GY and GPC of rice. This study employed four N rates (0, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha−1, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively) and four S rates (0, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha−1, designated as S0, S1, S2, and S3, respectively) using two rice cultivars: Jiujiuxiang (JJX) and Jiuxiangyou (JXY). The experimental results demonstrate that N and S exert significant effects on the GY and GPC of rice, with notable interactive effects between these two nutrient elements. The synergistic fertilization of N and S enhanced the GY by improving rice plant photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation while increasing GPC through elevated cysteine concentration in grains. Compared to the unfertilized treatment, the GY of the JJX cultivar showed increases of 68.3–143.2% (Season I) and 59.4–133.4% (Season II) under combined N and S applications, while the GY of the JXY cultivar increased by 53.2–144.1% (Season I) and 66.0–192.9% (Season II). Similarly, the GPC of the JJX cultivar showed increases of 7.5–43.4% (Season I) and 5.7–43.9% (Season II) under combined N and S applications, while the GPC of the JXY cultivar increased by 13.1–66.7% (Season I) and 13.3–61.0% (Season II). Overall, whether on the JJX or JXY cultivars, the application of 180 kg ha−1 of N combined with 45 kg ha−1 of S (i.e., the N2S2 treatment) synergistically enhances GY and GPC in rice. The synergistic fertilization of N and S synergistically enhances both rice yield and nutritional quality by regulating plant growth dynamics, which meet the requirements for healthy and sustainable development in rice production systems.

Coordinated Application of Nitrogen and Sulfur Synergistically Enhances Grain Yield and Grain Protein Concentration of Rice by Regulating Plant Growth

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