Nutritional Value Of Rice Research Articles

Evaluation of Genetic Variability for Yield and Associated Traits in Breeding Lines Derived from the Cross RNR-15048 × Tunga

Aims: To evaluate the genetic variability of 45 rice breeding lines for 12 quantitative and 2 qualitative traits, aiming to identify and enhance traits that contribute to improved crop yield and nutritional quality in rice. Study Design: The experiment was carried out in Randomised Complete Block Design with two replications. Place and Duration of Study: During kharif 2023 at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Kathalagere, Davangere. Methodology: The research utilized 45 breeding lines resulting from the cross RNR15048 × Tunga, sourced from the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture Shimoga, along with 5 checks. Data was recorded and analyzed statistically using R software. Results: The significant differences among the breeding lines identified through the analysis of variance highlight the potential for selecting superior genotypes within the studied rice breeding lines. High to moderate values of the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) suggest that there is substantial genetic diversity for the traits evaluated, indicating a promising opportunity for genetic improvement through selective breeding. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of focusing yield improvement programs on specific traits, including plant height, number of tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, grains per panicle, filled grains per panicle, test weight, protein content, and overall grain yield. Emphasizing these traits is essential for enhancing the productivity and nutritional value of rice, ultimately supporting food security efforts.

Effects of degree of milling on bran layer structure, physicochemical properties and cooking quality of brown rice

Effects of varying degree of milling (DOM) (0–22%) on the bran layer structure, physicochemical properties, and cooking quality of brown rice were explored. As the DOM increased, bran degree, protein, lipid, dietary fiber, amylose, mineral elements, and color parameters (a* and b* values) of milled rice decreased while starch and L* value increased. Microscopic fluorescence images showed that the pericarp, combined seed coat-nucellus layer, and aleurone layer were removed in rice processed at DOM of 6.6%, 9.2%, and 15.4%, respectively. The pasting properties, thermal properties, and palatability of rice increased as the DOM increased. Principal component and correlation analysis indicated that excessive milling lead to a decline in nutritional value of rice with limited impact on enhancing palatability. Notably, when parts of aleurone cell wall were retained, rice samples exhibited high cooking and sensory properties. It serves as a potential guide to the production of moderately milled rice.

Influence of weevil on the physicochemical characteristics, functional properties, and nutritional value of rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced at Yagoua (far-north Cameroon)

The infestation of rice by pests during the post-harvest phase is one of the consequences of the deterioration of its technological and nutritional quality. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical characteristics, functional properties and nutritional value of uninfested and weevil-infested rice during storage. To this end, rice samples were collected from a rice production unit in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The physico-chemical and functional properties of uninfested and infested rice flours were determined using standard methods. The results showed that among the functional properties, only porosity showed a significant difference (p˂0.05) between infested (13.88 %) and uninfested (17.30 %) rice flours. Concerning the proximate composition, except for the carbohydrate content, where a significant decrease (p˂0.05) was observed between infested (68.15 %) and non-infested (58.43 %) rice flours, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for the other nutrients evaluated. It was also observed that weevil infestation had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the mineral content of the rice samples. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of smaller granules with imprecise shapes in non-infested rice flour. Thus, this study showed that weevil infestation had a significant negative impact on the nutritional quality of rice and that good practices must be adopted by producers to ensure the quality of rice grains during storage.

Study of the Targeted Regulation of Rice Drying Characteristics and Quality

As the pre-process of storage and processing, rice drying is a key link to ensuring grain quality. A scientific and reasonable drying process can maintain grain quality and realize grain loss reduction, energy savings, and emission reduction. By establishing the response surface (RSM) regression model, the relationship between various experimental factors and quality indicators was analyzed, and the reasons for the results were explained. The optimized parameter combination was a hot air temperature of 43.14 °C, hot air humidity of 48.00%, initial moisture content of 23.80%, hot air velocity of 0.70 m/s, and hysteresis ratio of 3.55. Under this parameter combination, the drying characteristics (net drying time = 157.61 min, germination rate = 94.15%), processing quality (burst waist increase rate = 3.48%, whole rice rate = 70.458%), and nutritional quality (fatty acid value = 20.93 mg, resistant starch concentration = 195.26 μg/g, protein content change = 8.53 g/100 g, fat content change = 2.37 g/100 g) of rice after drying improved. The relative error between the validation results and the optimized results was 4.68%, indicating that the optimized process parameters can improve the efficiency and quality of rice drying. According to the regression model, the process reference chart with the process retrieval and prediction function was drawn, and the corresponding high-quality control scheme was given, providing a reference for the parameter settings of actual drying operations. The optimized drying process parameter combination effectively reduced the moisture gradient inside rice grains, drying stress, and the occurrence of cracks, thereby improving the appearance, quality and nutritional value of rice after drying. Moreover, the process reference chart can provide a reference for the actual preliminary processing technology of rice after production and a theoretical basis for an in-depth exploration of the mechanism of changes in rice quality.

Trace Element Levels in Rice Varieties Consumed in Saudi Arabia

Background: Rice is the most available and consumed food in the world, and is considered one nutritious food. Due to the same reason, rice is the popular food in Saudi Arabia, being consumed with vegetables and non-vegetable recipes. Methods: Taking the nutritive value of rice into consideration, the metal analysis was performed, and both essential and heavy elements were detected in seven varieties of rice, viz, Paddy Rice, Brown Rice, White Rice, Broken Rice, Parboiled Rice, Black Rice and Red Cargo Rice. Among the heavy elements arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead and mercury were analysed and the concentration of these elements was found within the value of tolerance. Results: The maximum concentration of all these elements was found below the limits set by NSU and the FDA. The essential elements, which were analyzed in all seven varieties of rice, include cobalt, magnesium, copper, selenium, manganese and zinc. Conclusion: All these elements were found in rice quantity, required for the normal metabolic activities of the body. The varieties of rice analyzed have essential element concentrations in a normal range.

The effect of various washing methods on pesticide residues, toxic and essential elements removal in rice.

This study examined the effects of various treatments on removing pesticide residues and toxic elements in rice. In parallel, nutritional elements, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P), were measured to investigate the effect of these washing treatments on the nutritional value of rice. A naturally contaminated rice sample containing five widespread used pesticides (azoxystrobin, buprofezin, carbendazim, and propiconazole) and toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and essential elements, was washed using several washing agents, including boiling water, 5% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), 5% acetic acid (vinegar), 5% citric acid, and 5% sodium chloride (salt). The washing method was chosen based on its availability and widespread usage; soaking for 10min was assumed to be reasonable. Our results showed that using 5% acetic acid significantly reduced azoxystrobin by 63%, buprofezin by 70%, carbendazim by 75%, and propiconazole by 61%. However, As and Cd were significantly reduced in sodium chloride by 57% and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, a significant reduction in essential nutrient elements was found in Mg (42%), K (37%), and P (23%) when rice was treated with 5% citric acid. Overall, washing agents reduced analytes in the following manners pesticides, toxic elements, and essential elements when using acetic acid, sodium chloride, and citric acid separately.

Comparative study of grain quality characteristics of some selected traditional and improved rice varieties in Sri Lanka: A review

Consumer acceptability and market demand in rice (Oryza sativa L.) are mainly determined by its grain quality. Therefore, the main aim of the present analytical review was to evaluate some selected traditional and improved rice varieties in Sri Lanka for their grain quality characteristics that include physical, physico-chemical, milling, cooking and eating and nutritional properties. Information from higher number of traditional varieties than that of improved varieties was used in the review as existing number of traditional varieties is about ten times higher than that of improved varieties in the country. Most of the traditional rice varieties are red with short to medium size grains having round and bold shape. Most of the improved rice varieties are white with long to medium-size grains having either round, bold, or internationally acceptable slender shapes. The total milling recoveries of both traditional and improved rice varieties are more or less similar and are in the range of 69-74%. Nutritional value of rice is influenced by genotype, soil and environmental condition under which the rice is grown as well as postharvest processing and storage condition and also degree of milling influences on the end-use nutritional quality. Both the cooking and eating quality and nutritional properties varied within traditional as well as within improved varieties. Total carbohydrate content of almost all of the improved rice varieties is higher except in the improved variety Bg 360 than that of the traditional varieties studied. Available data on grain protein, crude fat and crude fiber contents of traditional and improved rice varieties are significantly varying and inconsistent within and between traditional and improved rice varieties. The majority of the traditional and improved rice varieties belong to high amylose class, however, improved rice variety At 405 recorded the lowest amylose content and several traditional rice varieties recorded intermediate amylose content. Both traditional and improved rice varieties showed a similar swelling power. Though the swelling power of rice grains has shown a negative linear relationship with grain amylose content in general, a positive linear relationship between those two characteristics has been observed between improved and traditional rice varieties in Sri Lanka.

Effect of Different Processing Methods on the Nutritional Value of Rice

Rice, the mostly used cereal grain, is composed of three layers-husk, bran and endosperm, each contains various specific components. These layers can be lost or retained depending on the different processing methods used. The objective of the present study was to know the nutritional value of raw and parboiled Ranjit rice obtained by de-husking method using both modern milling and a traditional de-husking method by “Dhenki”. After preparing the rice flour, estimation of carbohydrate, protein, crude lipid, crude fiber, Minerals: Fe, Zn, Ca, vitamins thiamin and niacin were carried out for all the rice samples following standard methods. The milled rice grains showed greater losses in the fat, protein and fiber contents compared to the rice grains de-husked by Dhenki. On the other hand, the parboiling of the paddy prior to de-husking enhanced the nutritional quality of the rice compared to the un parboiled raw rice as parboiling - allows some nutrients like Iron and vitamins to transfer from the hull into the grain. Parboiled rice also showed less carbohydrate content compared to the raw rice. Further study with animal model revealed that parboiled rice de husked by Dhenki showed slow rate of digestion indicating it as a source of good carbohydrate.The findings may be useful in helping the people to choose the right processing methods for rice to obtain maximum yield in nutrition.

Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Soil and Foliar Application of Nano-ZnO and Bulk Zn-fertilizer in Red Acidic Soil of West Bengal, India

In cereal crops Zinc (Zn) deficiency has become a major problem which causes reduction in yield and nutritional quality of the cereal grain, thus affecting human health. Being an essential micronutrient for the production of rice crop, Zn deficiency appears to be an acute problem for the human population whose staple food is rice. Small increase in the nutritive value of rice can thus contribute to the human nutrition. Thus, increasing the micronutrient content of a food crop with the help of enriched fertilizers appears to be an effective way. During two successive growing seasons (wet season, 2017 and dry season, 2018) at the experimental farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, West Bengal, India, field experiments were carried out to assess the potential of Zn fertilizer on plant height, grain quality, leaf chlorophyll and leaf Zn content of rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) variety MTU-1010 by application of foliar Nano-ZnO (Zinc oxide) and soil ZnSO4.7H2O (Zinc Sulphate Hepta Hydrate). In both seasons, each experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replicates. Soil Zn as ZnSO4.H2O applications were assigned in the plots at the rate of 5 kg/ha and 0.30% nano-ZnO were assigned as foliar Zn spray along with the basal doses of 80 kg nitrogen (N), 40 kg phosphorus (P2O5) and 40 kg potassium (K2O)/ha as per the treatment details. After 15 days, 30 days, 45 days from transplanting and at the time of flowering as well as post-flowering chlorophyll (a, b, a+b) and Zn in rice plant leaves were determined. Plant heights were recorded after 30 days, 60 days and 90 days from transplanting and at the time of harvest. Quality parameters such as amylose, starch and crude protein content of the grain samples were determined at harvest stage. The results obtained from present assessment showed that, application of soil as well as foliar Zn resulted in significant increase in leaf Zn content, chlorophyll content, grain crude protein and plant height compared to the control. No significant effect on starch and amylose was recorded with Zn fertilization. Foliar spraying with 0.30% nano-ZnO at the time of flowering and post flowering showed a significant augmentation in leaf Zn concentration, chlorophyll content, plant height and quality of rice grain compared to the treatments receiving soil Zn application. Therefore it is considered as a more beneficial treatment in the cultivation of rice plants to promote plant growth and quality.

Unique Glutelin Expression Patterns and Seed Endosperm Structure Facilitate Glutelin Accumulation in Polyploid Rice Seed

BackgroundRice is not only an essential food but also a source of high quality protein. Polyploidy is an evolutionary trajectory in plants, and enhancing glutelin by polyploidization is an attractive strategy for improving the nutritional value of rice seeds and presents a great potential for enhancing the commercial value of rice. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying glutelin synthesis and accumulation in tetraploid rice is of great significance.ResultsTo enhance the nutritional value of rice, we developed tetraploid rice and evaluated the contents of various nutrient elements in mature seeds. The results revealed a significant increase in protein contents, including the total seed storage proteins, glutelins, and amino acids in tetraploid rice when compared with those in diploid rice. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analyses of seeds revealed that glutelins regulated by several glutelin genes in 9311-4x were significantly up-regulated (≥1.5-fold), which was further verified by immunoblot analyses. In addition, temporal expression patterns of various glutelin subunits in different rice lines were investigated. The results revealed significant differences in the expression patterns between diploid and tetraploid rice seeds. Cytohistological analyses results revealed that the thickness of aleurone cell layers increased significantly by 32% in tetraploid rice, the structures of protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) in sub-aleurone cells were more diverse and abundant than those of diploid rice. Temporal expression and proteomic analyses results revealed that protein disulfide isomerase-like 1–1 expression levels were higher in tetraploid rice than in diploid rice, and that the gene responded to oxidative folding with increased levels of proglutelin and appropriate distribution of seed glutelins in tetraploid rice.ConclusionThe results of the present study revealed that polyploidization increased glutelin content by influencing glutelin biosynthesis, transport, and deposition, while variations in glutelin accumulation between tetraploid and diploid rice were largely manifested in the initial time, duration, and relative levels of various glutelin gene expressions during seed filling stages. These findings provide novel insights into improving the protein quality and nutritional value of rice seeds by polyploid breeding.

Foliar spray of amino acids and potassic fertilizer improves the nutritional quality of rice

The effect of amino acid (AA) fertilizers on the quality and nutritional value of rice have rarely been studied. A field trial to determine the effect of foliar application of amino acids (AA) and potassium (K) on mineral nutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca and Mg), the contents of protein, amylose and amino acids (non-essential and essential) of two rice varieties (Tarom mahali and Neda), comprising of four treatments (control, AA, K and AA + K) using randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (Amol). The two years data during 2018 and 2019 showed that the foliar spray of AA and AA + K improved the concentrations of mineral nutrients, protein and amylose contents of brown and milled rice in both rice varieties compared to the control treatment. The foliar application of AA + K also significantly increased the contents of essential and non-essential amino acids of brown and milled rice in both rice varieties. In all similar treatments, the concentrations of element nutrients and the contents of protein, amylose, and amino acids of T. mahali variety were higher than Neda. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combined spray of AA and K can be a suitable practice for improving the quality of rice.

Influencing Factors of Grain Nutritional Quality and its Genetic Improvement Strategy in Rice

Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world, and about half of the world’s population uses it as the main food source. China’s annual rice output accounts for about 34% of the world’s annual rice output, ranking first in the world, thus China is known as the "Rice Kingdom". Rice has high nutritional value, providing the human body with 35% of the total energy intake and about 28% of the required protein. Therefore, the nutritional value of rice is directly related to human nutrition and health. In this paper, the three aspects of rice nutrition and human health, factors affecting rice nutritional quality and genetic improvement of nutritional quality of rice are reviewed. The new challenges of rice nutrition quality were analyzed, and the prospect of improving rice nutritional quality was prospected. The results provide theoretical basis for genetic improvement of rice nutrition quality and cultivation of new high-quality rice varieties in the future.

Rice quality improvement. A review

The value of rice to producers and consumers can be markedly increased by grain quality improvement. However, effective increase in the economic and nutritive value of rice can only be made with a better understanding of the conditions governing the production of rice with different grain types and quality and the control of quality along the value chain. This review examines the conditions governing the production of rice with price differentiated grain types and grades, with the aim to identify the limits and opportunities for quality and value upgrading. This begins with the production of Basmati and Hom Mali, the most expensive rice on global market, followed by a review of the effectiveness of rice breeding and management, and the roles of postharvest sorting and quality control, with the following conclusions. The production of rice with the highest price and quality is restricted by the eco-geographical limits. A substantial quality improvement has been achieved within each grain type through breeding, with grain quality as the key attribute differentiating modern high-yielding rice varieties that have become mega-varieties from those that have not. Due to the general preference for unbroken rice kernels, the value of rice is increased with grain breakage reduction at harvest and postharvest. The paddy from Asia’s numerous small farms, with diverse ecological and socio-economic conditions, is required to be sorted into quality and price differentiated segments of the value chain, so providing the incentives to manage for quality. Incentives are also required for nutrient-enriched rice to be segregated from the non-enriched grain, to impact the nutrient intake of low-income rice consumers. Ambitious rice development strategies aiming to improve grain quality are effective and sustainable only with the recognition of key quality control processes, and the need for quality differentiating management along the value chain.

Yield and Zn content of biofortified rice genotypes in an Indonesian rice agro-ecosystem

Susanto U, Barokah U, Hidayatullah A, Satoto, Swamy M. 2017. Yield and Zn content of biofortified rice genotypes in an Indonesian rice agro-ecosystem. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 288-294. Approximately one-third of the world's population suffer from Zn deficiency causing significant socio-economic losses as a result of stunting and compromised immune system function. One strategy to overcome the problem is by developing rice cultivars with high grain Zn content (Zn Rice) to improve dietary intake.This study reports the yield and Zn content of 22 rice genotypes developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Indonesian Centre for Rice Research (ICRR).The experiment was conducted in the Cirebon district of West Java province during the 2013 wet season (2013WS). Yield and grain Zn content (using an XRF machine) were measured. Five lines demonstrated higher yield (ranging from 7.0 to 8.9 t/ha) than the check variety Ciherang (5.2 t/ha), but had similar grain Zn content to the check variety Ciherang (23.4 ppm), ranging from 19.0 to 24.8 ppm. On the other hand, seven lines had higher grain Zn content (ranging from 30.0 to 34.2 ppm) compared to Ciherang, and five of these lines had comparable yield to Ciherang. The selected lines had acceptable agronomic traits, and are suitable for further testing and utilization, in addition to providing a foundation for future improvement in the dual goals of increasing the yield and nutritional value of rice.

Development of transgenic rice containing a mutated β subunit of soybean β-conglycinin for enhanced phagocytosis-stimulating activity

Improving the nutraceutical value of rice would positively impact the health and well-being of rice consumers worldwide. Based on the three-dimensional structure of soybean beta-conglycinin, we designed a beta subunit with a strong phagocytosis-stimulating activity (mbeta subunit). Here, we describe the genetic modification and production of rice seeds containing the mbeta subunit as part of our aim to develop a food material that promotes human health. The mbeta subunit folded correctly and was accumulated in the protein body II of rice seeds at a level similar to wild-type beta subunit. Mutant beta subunit purified from transgenic rice seeds exhibited high phagocytosis-stimulating activity, demonstrating its potential value in enhancing the nutritional value of rice.

CARACTERÍSTICAS QUÍMICAS E NUTRICIONAIS DO ARROZ

Nesta pesquisa de revisão de literatura, as características químicas e o valor nutricional do arroz foram investigados. A composição química do arroz foi revisada quanto ao conteúdo em carboidratos (amido), proteínas e aminoácidos essenciais, lipídios, fibras e micronutrientes (tiamina, riboflavina, niacina, ferro e zinco). Destacou-se a influência do polimento e da variedade genética na composição química do grão, especialmente em relação às vitaminas e minerais. No aspecto nutricional abordou-se a importância do arroz como fonte de energia (carboidrato complexo) na dieta, sua qualidade protéica e sua possível contribuição na nutrição de micronutrientes. Concluiu-se que o arroz é importante para o equilíbrio nutricional de dietas saudáveis e por isso seu consumo habitual e o emprego de seus subprodutos na elaboração de alimentos com propriedades especiais devem ser incentivados.

Cord Impressed Ware and rice cultivation in South Asia, China and Japan: possibilities of inter-links

Core Impressed Ware, named because it has cord-impressed decorations on the outer surfaces, is commonly associated with all early rice growing regions of Asia. Archaeological, ethnographic and linguistic data indicate possible interlinks among Cord Impressed pottery and early rice growing regions. Pottery making is far older than agriculture in East Asia. In Japan, Cord Impressed Pottery is associated with the Jomon culture and has now been dated to 13,000 BP. A large number of early rice cultivation sites scattered throughout southeastern coastal China, in the Yangtze Valley, and in Southern China have also yielded Cord-Impressed ware. Archaeological sites in Indochina , the Ganga Valley, the Vindhya, eastern and northeastern India, and in the Himalayas also contain abundant evidence of rice cultivation and Cord-Impressed Ware. The central position of rice in cultures throughout southern and eastern Asia has great antiquity, reflecting both the nutritional value of rice and its long history of cultivation. Linguistic data, in combination with rituals and festivals associated with rice, mirror the original spread of cultivation, and parallel the distribution of Cord-Impressed Ware. Rituals, festivals and agricultural rites associated with rice, are prevalent in early rice growing regions of Asia. The myths of the origin of rice in distant regions have striking similarities, indicating some interlinks. The varied rituals and incredible respect for the cereal perhaps indicate remote antiquity. Hence, Cord Impressed Ware, early dates for rice cultivation in different regions, linguistic data and similarity of agricultural rites, rituals, and festivals, and deep respect for rice all point towards remote antiquity in India and strong inter-links among China, Japan and India over millennia.

Cord Impressed Ware and rice cultivation in South Asia, China and Japan: possibilities of inter-links

Core Impressed Ware, named because it has cord-impressed decorations on the outer surfaces, is commonly associated with all early rice growing regions of Asia. Archaeological, ethnographic and linguistic data indicate possible interlinks among Cord Impressed pottery and early rice growing regions. Pottery making is far older than agriculture in East Asia. In Japan, Cord Impressed Pottery is associated with the Jomon culture and has now been dated to 13,000 BP. A large number of early rice cultivation sites scattered throughout southeastern coastal China, in the Yangtze Valley, and in Southern China have also yielded Cord-Impressed ware. Archaeological sites in Indochina, the Ganga Valley, the Vindhya, eastern and northeastern India, and in the Himalayas also contain abundant evidence of rice cultivation and Cord-Impressed Ware. The central position of rice in cultures throughout southern and eastern Asia has great antiquity, reflecting both the nutritional value of rice and its long history of cultivation. Linguistic data, in combination with rituals and festivals associated with rice, mirror the original spread of cultivation, and parallel the distribution of Cord-Impressed Ware. Rituals, festivals and agricultural rites associated with rice, are prevalent in early rice growing regions of Asia. The myths of the origin of rice in distant regions have striking similarities, indicating some interlinks. The varied rituals and incredible respect for the cereal perhaps indicate remote antiquity. Hence, Cord Impressed Ware, early dates for rice cultivation in different regions, linguistic data and similarity of agricultural rites, rituals, and festivals, and deep respect for rice all point towards remote antiquity in India and strong inter-links among China, Japan and India over millennia.

Effect of the Treatment of Split on the Nutritive Value of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Straw

Effect of the Treatment of Split on the Nutritive Value of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Straw

APPLICATION OF ALGAL BIOFERTILIZERS (AULOSIRA FERTILISSIMA TENUIS AND ANABAENA DOLIOLUM BHARDAWAJA) FOR SUSTAINED PADDY CULTIVATION IN NORTHERN INDIA

Field trials were conducted to determine the effect of algal biofertilizers(Aulosira fertilissimaandAnabaena doliolum), alone or in combination with different doses of N-fertilizer (0–120 kg N/ha) supplied as urea, on biomass yield and nutritive value of rice. All doses of N-fertilizer, together withA. fertilissimaorA. doliolum, significantly increased plant height, number of tillers/hill, root length, leaf length, chlorophyll content, number of panicles/hill, number of seeds/ear, seed weight, grain yield, protein, and N content of grain. However, lower doses of N-fertilizer resulted in more efficient and rapid responses. Maximal qualitative improvement in rice production was found with 90 kg N/ha together with 12.5 kg/ha algal biofertilizer. The responses to these biofertilizers appear to be strain-specific since application ofA. fertilissimayielded better results than application ofA. doliolum.Application of the former saved about 25% of the chemical N-demand of the crop.