Increased hill density can compensate for yield loss from reduced nitrogen input in machine-transplanted double-cropped rice

Results showed that LNLD had 19% and 16% less panicle number per unit land area, 27% and 26% smaller leaf area index, 18% and 14% lower biomass production, and consequently 13% and 11% lower grain yield than did HNLD in early and late season, respectively. In contrast, these yield attributes and grain yield were generally equal or higher under LNHD than under HNLD. Our study indicates that the potential negative effects of reduced N rate on yield attributes and grain yield can be compensated for by increased hill density, and suggests that dense planting is a feasible strategy to reduce N input in machine-transplanted double-cropped rice.