Effects of Aerated Irrigation on Leaf Senescence at Late Growth Stage and Grain Yield of Rice

With the japonica inbred cultivar Xiushui 09, indica hybrid combinations Guodao 6 and Liangyoupeijiu as materials, field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to study the effects of aerated irrigation on leaf senescence at late growth stage and grain yield of rice. The dissolved oxygen concentration of aerated water evidently increased and decreased at a slow rate. The soil oxidation-reduction potential under aerated irrigation treatment was significantly higher than that of the CK, contributing to significant increases in effective panicles, seed setting rate and grain yield. In addition, the aerated irrigation improved root function, increased superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde content in flag leaves at post-flowering, which delayed leaf senescence process, prolonged leaf functional activity and led to enhanced grain filling.