"August Fragrance" Snowflake Japonica and Jinshan Bloom, Transforming "Field Character Grid" into "Merge Cells" Rice Production Improving Quality and Efficiency, Drought Resistance | Water Conservation | Snowflake

On August 14, 2023, scientist Luo Lijun observed the growth of water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance" at the harvesting site.

On that day, in the 10000 acre grain field of Langxia Town, Jinshan District, the water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance" Snow Japonica, cultivated by Luo Lijun's team, officially began to sickle.

It is reported that the "August Fragrance" snowflake japonica rice is not only planted under the Jinshan Corridor in Shanghai, but also has traveled to Pujiang Town in Minhang, Caojing Town in Jinshan, and Huinan Town in Pudong. Water saving and drought resistant rice seeds have been planted in various parts of Shanghai, and a reference path for improving the quality and efficiency of urban rice production has been explored in the fields of Shanghai.

Scientist Luo Lijun expressed satisfaction with the growth of water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance".

Compared with traditional rice paddies, the fields of "August Fragrance" snowflake japonica are no longer "field grids", but "merged cells", connecting the rice paddies one by one, reducing the coefficient of the field ridge, reducing the number of open channels for water intake and drainage, and improving the efficiency of land use.

For a long time, the traditional cultivation method of rice has forced the retention of open drainage channels and ridges around farmland, which account for more than 7.5% of the farmland area and seriously reduce the utilization rate of farmland. The water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance" Snow Flower Japonica effectively alleviated this problem. In its demonstration planting in Jinshan, Shanghai, it adopted the "dry planting and drought management" planting method, which not only leverages the water-saving and drought resistant advantages of water-saving and drought resistant rice, but also eliminates flooding and achieves "water to drought" transformation. The water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance" Snow Japonica can also be paired with machinery, which can lower the plow bottom layer and increase the depth of the cultivation layer during the planting process, effectively utilizing precipitation and adding stable yield "double insurance" to the already water-saving and drought resistant "August Fragrance". It is reported that under the rainy conditions this year, the "August Fragrance" snow flower rice under Jinshan Corridor has achieved "0" artificial irrigation.

Traditional rice in Shanghai has a long growth period, occupies a long land, and incurs high production costs. The growth period of "August Fragrant" Snow Japonica is only 105 days, and the yield can reach 450 kilograms per mu. Although the growth period of Snow Japonica is relatively short, its rice quality remains the same. When made into rice, it is soft, sticky, and fragrant, with a taste value of 82 points. This year, the water-saving and drought resistant rice "August Fragrance" Snow Japonica planted in Langxia covers an area of over 1000 acres. After harvesting, the "rice+" model will be adopted. After the sickle is opened, another batch of regenerated rice can be harvested, and fresh corn, lettuce, or rapeseed can be planted as a successor. Based on the "August Fragrance" application, the "Rice+" model, like a Rubik's Cube, brings more possibilities to urban agriculture. The "rice+" model can optimize the planting structure of rice fields, achieve resource conservation, environmental friendliness, increase farmland value, and increase farmers' income.

In the process of promoting the cultivation of "August Fragrance", research on supporting technologies is also being carried out simultaneously. In response to the problem of weeds in dryland, "August Fragrance" applied the enhanced version of "Dimethylpentyl" with good weed control effect and long shelf life, and used efficiency enhancing and dosage reducing additives to effectively deal with the weed problem faced by rice cultivation in dryland. In addition to weed control technology, the planting process of "August Fragrance" snow japonica also applied film mulching and dry direct seeding cultivation technology, which played an important role in weed control. The application of these supporting technologies and the "rice+" model will bring valuable experience for improving the quality and efficiency of urban rice production.

Under the Jinshan Corridor, one foot stepped into the solid dry land, two hands caressed the golden rice ears, and looked up at the golden rice waves planted in contiguous areas with few ridges. With a bountiful harvest scene, the fragrance wafts in August. At the August Fragrance Forum - Urban Rice Quality and Efficiency Improvement and August Japonica Rice Harvesting Observation Conference, words such as "dry planting and drought management", "rice+model", and "agricultural product value" frequently appeared. It is precisely these highlights that have brought a new solution for improving the quality and efficiency of urban rice production.

"August Fragrance" Snow Japonica has extremely high ecological value. According to the carbon footprint assessment of rice production, transportation, and processing, it was found that rice has the highest proportion of carbon emissions in the production process. The "August Fragrance" snowflake japonica adopts a dry direct seeding and dry tube planting mode, reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields by 97%, significantly reducing carbon emissions from the rice production process. At the same time, the Luo Lijun team also conducted research on the application amount and slow-release fertilizer effect of "August Fragrance" nitrogen fertilizer. The study found that "August Fragrance" can achieve a reduction of 11kg/mu of nitrogen application compared to the average nitrogen application rate of rice in Shanghai, greatly reducing the environmental pollution caused by rice cultivation. Against the backdrop of continuous improvement in carbon trading and emission rights, the ecological value of "August Fragrance" will be further demonstrated.

As a result, farmland has reduced its reliance on open channels and ridges for water intake and drainage, and the saved area can continue to be used for the cultivation of water-saving and drought resistant rice, greatly increasing the usage area of rice fields. According to calculations, the actual production area of rice fields after the "water to drought" policy can increase by more than 4%.

Economic benefits. In addition to rice cultivation itself, the deep processing of agricultural products such as rice products and alcoholic beverages further enhances the added value of agricultural products.