TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE
THE CONTEXT: Indian scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying rice varieties with significantly higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), offering both environmental and economic benefits.
EXPLANATION:
- The study, published in the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, highlights the critical role that NUE plays in agricultural sustainability and the potential to reduce fertiliser waste and environmental pollution.
Significance of Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in Rice Cultivation
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) refers to the ability of a crop to convert applied nitrogen fertiliser into harvested grain.
- In India, where urea is the predominant nitrogen fertiliser, poor NUE results in the wastage of fertilisers worth approximately Rs 1 lakh crore annually.
- On a global scale, this inefficiency translates to over $170 billion in wasted resources.
- Beyond the financial loss, poor NUE has contributed to environmental degradation over the past 50 years, including the emission of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and nitrogen runoff leading to eutrophication in water bodies.
Breakthrough in Rice Varieties with High NUE
- The research conducted by a team at Indraprastha University revealed significant natural variations in the NUE among different rice varieties.
- The study screened over a thousand Indian released rice varieties, identifying a five-fold variation in NUE across a dozen of these varieties.
- Among the high NUE varieties, ‘Khira’ and ‘CR Dhan 301’ were noted for their long-duration growth cycles, while ‘Dhala Heera’ stood out as a variety with both high NUE and a shorter growth duration.
- This combination makes ‘Dhala Heera’ particularly advantageous for farmers seeking to maximise productivity within a shorter growing season.
Research Methodology and Findings
- 46 phenotypic and physiological parameters have been examined across various rice varieties.
- The study identified 19 parameters strongly associated with NUE, including eight newly discovered traits that are pending confirmation in field trials.
- This comprehensive research involved three separate studies over a decade, employing different sets of 34 released rice varieties evaluated under greenhouse conditions.
- The high NUE varieties identified in the greenhouse were later confirmed through field trials conducted by agricultural institute partners.
- This validation enhances the reliability of the methodology used for assessing NUE biologically and suggests its potential for large-scale screening of all Indian rice varieties.
- Such screening could identify more NUE cultivars suited to diverse agroclimatic conditions and market demands.
Environmental and Socio-Economic Implications
- The environmental impact of poor nitrogen management is severe.
- Nitrogen fertilisers are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide.
- Additionally, nitrogen runoff into water bodies causes eutrophication, leading to oxygen depletion and the creation of ‘dead zones’ that devastate aquatic ecosystems.
- Improving NUE in rice not only helps mitigate these environmental issues but also promotes more sustainable agricultural practices.
- From a socio-economic perspective, enhancing NUE can significantly benefit the large segment of India’s population dependent on agriculture.
- By improving NUE, farmers can achieve higher productivity with lower input costs, reducing their reliance on excessive fertiliser applications.
- This leads to better profitability and can enhance the overall living standards of farming communities.
- Furthermore, a more sustainable agricultural economy aligns with India’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halve nutrient waste by 2030.
Future Directions and Recommendations
- The findings of this study open the door to broader applications in agriculture.
- The researchers recommend large-scale screening of all Indian rice varieties to identify more cultivars with high NUE that are adaptable to various climatic conditions and market needs.
- Such initiatives could revolutionise rice cultivation in India, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic resilience in the agricultural sector.