Genotypic Variation in Nutrient Uptake Requirements of Rice Using the QUEFTS Model

Nutrient requirements for single-season rice using the quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model in China have been estimated in a previous study, which involved all the rice varieties; however, it is unclear whether a similar result can be obtained for different rice varieties. In this study, data were collected from field experiments conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Zhejiang Province, China. The dataset was separated into two parts: japonica/indica hybrid rice and japonica rice. To produce 1000 kg of grain, 13.5 kg N, 3.6 kg P, and 20.4 kg K were required in the above-ground plant dry matter for japonica/indica hybrid rice, and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IEs) were 74.0 kg grain per kg N, 279.1 kg grain per kg P, and 49.1 kg grain per kg K. For japonica rice, 17.6 kg N, 4.1 kg P, and 23.0 kg K were required to produce 1000 kg of grain, and the corresponding IEs were 56.8 kg grain per kg N, 244.6 kg grain per kg P, and 43.5 kg grain per kg K. Field validation experiments indicated that the QUEFTS model could be used to estimate nutrient uptake of different rice varieties. We suggest that variety should be taken into consideration when estimating nutrient uptake for rice using the QUEFTS model, which would improve this model.