Effects of Organic Fertilizer and Methyl Jasmonate on the Yield and Quality of Rice

PurposeTo determine the effects of foliar fertilizer (BJH) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on yield and quality of rice.

MethodThree varieties of rice, mainly cultivated along the Huai River region, were used to spray with BJH and MeJA at the booting and the beginning of grain-filling stage, respectively, with five treatments of water, MeJA₁, BJH, BJH+MeJA₁, BJH+MeJA₂ and BJH+MeJA₃. The antioxidant enzyme activity was determined at the flowering stage, as well as the yield-related traits and grain quality after harvest, to evaluate the comprehensive effects of different treatments by using principal component analysis (PCA).

ResultThe antioxidant enzyme activity, spike number per plant (SNP) and grain number per spike (GNS) were increased after the separate treatment of BJH and MeJA, as well of the lower shrunken grain rate (SGR), promoting the significantly increased yield (P<0.05). However, after mixed application of BJH and MeJA, the antioxidant enzyme activity was decreased, while SNP was significantly improved (P<0.05), with a more desirable grain quality. Under BJH+MeJA₂ treatment, the highest yield was obtained. When the increase of MeJA concentration, the regulatory effects on the antioxidant enzyme activity, GNS, alkali value and gel consistency gradually weakened. The six treatments were clustered into two categories by PCA, and the comprehensive effects were as followes: BJH>MeJA₁>BJH+MeJA₁>BJH+MeJA₂>BJH+MeJA₃>control.

ConclusionThe separate spraying of BJH or MeJA₁, including the appropriate treatment of BJH+MeJA₁, could improve the grain production and quality of rice along the Huai River region.