The cultivation of rice -- the staple grain for more than 3.5 billion people around the world -- comes with extremely high environmental, climate and economic costs. But that may be about to change, thanks to new research led by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and China’s Jiangnan University. They have shown that nanoscale applications of the element selenium can decrease the amount of fertilizer necessary for rice cultivation while sustaining yields, boosting nutrition, enhancing the soil’s microbial diversity and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they demonstrate for the first time that such nanoscale applications work in real-world conditions.
Grow nutritious rice with less fertilizer
Rice receiving selenium and 30 percent less fertilizer -- RF+ Se ENMs -- is far bulkier than rice receiving less fertilizer -- RF -- and comparable to conventionally grown rice -- CK. Figure b shows a field experiment testing the greenhouse-gas emissions of rice with nano-treatments of selenium.
Figure a shows one of the experimental fields in Kunshan City, China. Figures b and c compare yield and grain weight of conventionally grown rice -- CK -- rice treated with 30 percent less fertilizer -- RF -- and rice treated with 30 percent less fertilizer and nano-selenium -- RF+Se ENMs.
Most Popular
BAYFIELD, Wis. – We often hear stories of adventurers in earlier times who overcame overwhelming odds to accomplish amazing things. Their succ…
The soil microbiome is critical for the ecosystem, and agricultural practices that promote microbial diversity can support plant health and he…
(CNN) — A drastic weather pattern change is about to induce an acute case of weather whiplash for most of the country. During the next few day…
Sulfur has officially joined the conversation when producers are discussing which macronutrients need to be applied to corn and soybean acres …