Scientists found rice attributes to improve nitrogen use efficiency

Context

• A team of scientists reported physical attributes and genes that help identify which types of rice use nitrogen efficiently.

Key-findings of the research

• Genes associated with NUE: The scientists reported 34 genes associated with N-use-efficient (NUE) for potential crop improvement.
• Slow germination: NUE cultivars tend to be slow in germination and flowering.
• Lesser N input: They grow tall and deep with higher biomass and take longer duration to harvest but yield more with lesser N input.
• Relevant to other cereals: Findings in rice will also be relevant to other cereals and possibly other crops.

Significance of the study

• Efficient use of fertilizers: It could help farmers use nitrogenous fertilizers efficiently.
• Economical: It will save costs of the fertilizers.
• Climate Change: It limits nitrogen-linked pollution, which contributes to climate change.
• More production: They grow tall and deep crop with higher biomass.
• Reduce government expenditure: The Indian government’s subsidy on N-fertilizer (mainly urea) is over ? 50,000 crore per annum.

Usage and Environmental impacts of Nitrogen

• Used in fertilizers: According to the Indian Nitrogen Assessment (2017), agriculture accounts for over 70% of all nitrous oxide emission in the Indian environment, out of which 77% is contributed by fertilizers, mostly urea.
• Higher use for Cereals:Cereals account for over 69% of the total consumption of N fertilizers in India, with rice topping the list at 37%, followed by wheat (24%).
• A potential GHG: Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.It has replaced methane as the second largest GHG emission from Indian agriculture over the last 15 years.