Organic-inorganic fertilizer combination coordinates starch and protein accumulation in bottom panicle grains to reduce chalkiness and enhance head rice yield.

Organic-inorganic fertilizer combination improves rice grain quality by reducing chalkiness by 12.32% and increasing head rice yield by 6.45% in bottom panicle grains.

• Why it matters: Improving grain filling uniformity in rice, especially in bottom panicle grains, is crucial for enhancing overall rice quality and yield, addressing a key challenge in rice production.
• What they did: A two-year field experiment tested various organic fertilizer levels and nitrogen rates, analyzing enzyme activities related to starch and protein synthesis to understand their effects on grain development.
• The result: The combined fertilization strategy balanced starch and protein content, notably under moderate nitrogen levels, offering a reliable approach to improve rice quality and yield stability through optimized nutrient management.