No-tillage effect on rice yield in China: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Rice production in China has been constrained by changes in socioeconomic and physical environments such as decreased labor availability and degraded soil. No-tillage (NT) may be an alternative system for rice production in China because it has potential benefits including labor saving and soil conservation. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of NT on rice yield in China and to investigate how the effect varies with the environmental and management factors. Results showed that decrease in panicle number per unit land area was observed in NT rice across a wide range of environmental and management conditions in China, but grain yield was not reduced because it was compensated for by more spikelet number per panicle and higher spikelet-filling percentage. Grain yield responses to NT were affected by region (climate), soil, cropping system and proportion of N applied during the vegetative period (PNVP). Typically, grain yield showed a positive response to NT in south-west region (where the climate during rice-growing season is characterized by frequent fog and clouds, high humidity and insufficient sunlight). NT resulted in a decreased grain yield in soils with pH lower than 6.0 and low fertility. Grain yield was decreased in rice–rice cropping systems but increased in rice–upland cropping systems by NT. NT had negative effect on grain yield under PNVP of 70% and 80% but had no significant effect under PNVP of 90%. However, responses of grain yield to NT did not vary with establishment method (transplanting vs. seedling throwing vs. direct seeding), cultivar type (hybrid vs. inbred), duration of NT adoption (<3 years vs. 3–6 years vs. >6 years) and residue management practice (removal vs. retention). We conclude that adoption of NT for rice production in China should be site-specific and depend on agronomic practices including cropping system and N management.