Gene Expression, Enzyme Activity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Yield of Rice Affected by Controlled-Release Nitrogen

Controlled- or slow-release urea can improve crop nitrogen use efficiencies and yields in many agricultural production systems. The effect of controlled-release urea on the relationships between levels of gene expression and yields has not been adequately researched. We conducted a 2 year field study with direct-seeded rice, which included treatments of controlled-release urea at four rates (120, 180, 240, and 360 kg N ha^-1), a standard urea treatment (360 kg N ha^-1), and a control treatment without applied nitrogen. Controlled-release urea improved the inorganic nitrogen concentrations of root-zone soil and water, functional enzyme activities, protein contents, grain yields, and nitrogen use efficiencies. Controlled-release urea also improved the gene expressions of nitrate reductase [NAD(P)H] (EC 1.7.1.2), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), and glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.1.14). With the exception of glutamate synthase activity, there were significant correlations among these indices. The results showed that controlled-release urea improved the content of inorganic nitrogen within the rice root zone. Compared with urea, the average enzyme activity of controlled-release urea increased by 50-200%, and the relative gene expression was increased by 3-4 times on average. The added soil nitrogen increased the level of gene expression, allowing enhanced synthesis of enzymes and proteins for nitrogen absorption and use. Hence, controlled-release urea improved the nitrogen use efficiency and the grain yield of rice. Controlled-release urea is an ideal nitrogen fertilizer showing great potential for improving rice production.