Context:

Recently, Indian scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying natural variations in the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice along with its related traits and genes.

About the Study: 

• The study, published in the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, found that high NUE rice varieties like Khira and CR Dhan 301 are long-duration crops.
• Indraprastha University researchers looked at 46 physiological and phenotypic parameters in different types of rice. 

Key Findings of the study: 

• The research, spanning a decade, included three studies evaluating 34 different rice varieties in greenhouse conditions. 
• Varieties showing high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in the greenhouse were subsequently confirmed in field trials by agricultural institute partners, enhancing the confidence in the methodology's reliability for assessing NUE.
• Researchers found natural variations in NUE among rice varieties, highlighting the Dhala Heera variety for its high NUE and shorter growth duration, making it advantageous for farmers. 
• Out of over a thousand rice varieties released in India, they discovered a five-fold variance in NUE among twelve types. 
• 19 parameters associated with NUE were identified, including eight new parameters that are yet to be confirmed by field trials. 

Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE):

• It is a term that is used to describe the efficiency of a plant in using applied or fixed nitrogen for biomass production. 
• NUE is defined as the ratio of crop yield to the amount of nitrogen absorbed from the soil (roots) or fixed by bacteria.
• A NUE of 50% means that half of the applied nitrogen remained in the crop after growth was completed.

Significance of the study: 

• The significance of this research extends beyond agricultural efficiency; it aligns with India's commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halve nutrient waste by 2030. 
• Based on this study, the researchers advocate for large-scale screening of all Indian rice varieties to identify more NUE cultivars suited for various Agro-climatic conditions, further enhancing agricultural sustainability.

Benefits of improved NUE in India?

• In India, where a large portion of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, improving NUE can enhance productivity and profitability for farmers.
• High NUE Rice varieties can significantly reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers, leading to both environmental and financial benefits, and enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainable agriculture practices, which are crucial for many livelihoods in India.