油菜素甾醇(BRs)对杂交粳稻灌浆期光合物质、群体氮素积累和利用的影响

以常规杂交粳稻常优3号和籼粳杂交超级稻甬优12为材料,通过叶面施肥分析了油菜素甾醇(BRs)对2个杂交粳稻灌浆期剑叶光合特性、群体干物质积累、氮素吸收利用、非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)积累和植株不同器官NSC/N的影响。结果表明,BRs对2个水稻叶片光合生理指标的影响表现为G_s>T_r>P_n>C_i。喷施2,4-表油菜素内酯(eBL)后能够增强灌浆期叶片净光合速率和蒸腾速率,维持叶绿素含量和胞间CO₂浓度,从而提升叶片光合能力;以及增加群体干物质、氮素和NSC积累量以及干物质积累比例和积累速率、氮素吸收比例和吸收速率、NSC转运比例和转运速率,但降低了氮素干物质生产效率;喷施油菜素吡咯(Brz)后的上述生理效应相反。eBL提升了2个水稻品种花后干物质、NSC和氮素的转移量及氮素对籽粒贡献率,降低了干物质和NSC对籽粒贡献率;Brz则降低了干物质、NSC及氮素的转移量和转移率,提升了干物质和NSC对籽粒贡献率。2个杂交粳稻整个灌浆期地上部不同器官NSC、氮素转运量均表现为eBL>CK>Brz,籽粒灌浆前期>籽粒灌浆后期。2个水稻品种地上部不同器官NSC/N随着籽粒的不断充实呈现上升趋势,其中茎鞘、穗部NSC/N变化最为显著;eBL减小了叶片和茎鞘中的NSC/N,Brz则反之,但喷施BRs后穗部变化规律不明显。籼粳杂交超级稻甬优12比常规杂交粳稻常优3号具有更强的剑叶光合速率,更高的干物质和氮素及NSC积累量,更大的灌浆前期NSC和氮素转运量,最终籽粒实际产量较常优3号增加5.03%~9.32%;eBL对2个水稻品种干物质和氮素积累及NSC转运作用规律不一,Brz对甬优12干物质、氮素积累及NSC转运抑制效应大于常优3号。     

籼粳交超级稻甬优538的穗部特征及籽粒灌浆特性

以籼粳交超级稻甬优538为试材,常规粳稻镇稻18和杂交籼稻中浙优1号为对照,将穗部分成上部一次枝粳籽粒(UP)、上部二次枝粳籽粒(US)、中部一次枝粳籽粒(MP)、中部二次枝粳籽粒(MS)、下部一次枝粳籽粒(LP)、下部二次枝粳籽粒(LS)6个部分,比较不同类型品种的穗部特征和籽粒灌浆特性。结果表明:(1)两年中甬优538平均产量为12.5 t hm–2,较中浙优1号和镇稻18分别高17.6%和15.2%;每穗粒数和群体颖花量以甬优538最高。(2)单穗重和着粒密度以甬优538最高;甬优538穗部6个部位的籽粒数均显著高于对照品种,且以上部二次枝粳籽粒和中部二次枝粳籽粒数增加最为明显。(3)甬优538中,UP与MP、MS与US、LP与LS为同步灌浆,但两两之间为异步灌浆。中浙优1号和镇稻18中,UP、US和MP为同步灌浆,而UP、US、MP与LP、LS为异步灌浆。品种类型间,穗部6个部位米粒终极生长量的平均值以镇稻18最高,最大灌浆速率和平均灌浆速率的平均值为中浙优1号镇稻18甬优538,有效灌浆时间为甬优538镇稻18中浙优1号。     

Toward yield improvement of early-season rice: Other options under double rice-cropping system in central China

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yields vary considerably between seasons under subtropical irrigated conditions. Reports on comparisons of grain yield between early- and late-season rice in subtropical environments are lacking. In order to evaluate the role of climatic and physiological factors under double rice-cropping system in determining rice grain yield in farmers’ fields, six field experiments were conducted in both early and late seasons from 2008 to 2010 in Wuxue County, Hubei province, China. For early season crop, the attainable yield was highest under dense planting (38.5 hills m⁻²) when N was applied at a rate of 120–180 kg ha⁻¹. However, the effect of hill density on grain yield was relatively smaller for late season crop, while moderate hill density (28.1 hills m⁻²) and nitrogen rate (120 kg ha⁻¹) were advantageous in terms of grain yield and lodging resistance. Remarkably higher grain yields were achieved in late season crops compared with early season crops, as the former had superiority over the latter in sink size (sink capacity, such as spikelets per m²) and biomass production. The comparatively lower yield under early season mainly resulted from slower growth during the vegetative phase, which can be attributed to the lower temperature rather than reduced mean daily radiation. Summary statistics suggested that there was ample opportunity to improve rice yield in early season crops, compared with late season crops. Correlation analysis further showed that spikelets per m², panicles per m², leaf area index at panicle initiation and flowering, biomass at physiological maturity and biomass accumulation after flowering should be emphasized for increasing grain yield, especially in early season crops under the double rice-cropping system in central China. Current breeding programs need to target strong tillering ability, large panicle size and greater grain filling (%) for early season crops, and high yield potential and lodging-resistance for late season crops as primary objectives.     

超高产常规粳稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号群体特征及对氮的响应

2007—2008年对宁粳1号和宁粳3号的丰产示范方进行调查,2008年以宁粳3号为材料进行氮肥用量和前后比例试验,研究常规粳型超级稻超高产群体特征及对氮的响应。结果表明,常规粳型超级稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号抽穗后干物质积累占籽粒产量的70%~80%,茎叶等营养器官的表观转运率少,易高产稳产。足够的颖花量是高产稳产的保证,要达到11.0 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 42 000 m^-2;要达到11.7 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 45 000 m^-2,同时结实率 ≥ 90%,粒重 ≥ 26 mg。超高产群体抽穗期适宜叶面积指数(LAI)为7.0~7.5,叶色呈“黑黄”节奏变化,后期生长速率(CGR)高,收获指数(HI)≥ 0.5。氮肥的适量施用和适当后移,不仅可以保证宁粳1号和宁粳3号生育期“黑黄”节奏变化,建立抽穗期适宜LAI的群体,还可以保持超高产株型特征,提高抽穗后LAI、叶面积维持期、CGR和HI,最终实现超高产量。     

超高产常规粳稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号群体特征及对氮的响应

2007-2008年对宁粳1号和宁粳3号的丰产示范方进行调查,2008年以宁粳3号为材料进行氮肥用量和前后比例试验,研究常规粳型超级稻超高产群体特征及对氮的响应。结果表明,常规粳型超级稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号抽穗后干物质积累占籽粒产量的70%~80%,茎叶等营养器官的表观转运率少,易高产稳产。足够的颖花量是高产稳产的保证,要达到11.0 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 42 000 m^-2;要达到11.7 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 45 000 m^-2,同时结实率 ≥ 90%,粒重 ≥ 26 mg。超高产群体抽穗期适宜叶面积指数(LAI)为7.0~7.5,叶色呈“黑黄”节奏变化,后期生长速率(CGR)高,收获指数(HI)≥ 0.5。氮肥的适量施用和适当后移,不仅可以保证宁粳1号和宁粳3号生育期“黑黄”节奏变化,建立抽穗期适宜LAI的群体,还可以保持超高产株型特征,提高抽穗后LAI、叶面积维持期、CGR和HI,最终实现超高产量。     

栽培条件对水稻粒重的影响及其原因分析

应用３个水稻品种,设计氮、磷肥处理３７个,从籽粒着生部位,谷粒体积,比重,灌浆过程,灌浆物质供应水平以及根系活力等方面,对不同栽培条件下饱粒千粒重的差异及其原因进行了探讨。（１）不同处理间全穗饱粒千粒重的极差汕优６３为３．９１ｇ,Ｋｏｇａｎｅｍａｓａｒｉ为５．４３ｇ,９００４为７．６２ｇ;（２）稻穗不同部位饱粒千粒重的提高幅度为下部枝梗籽粒大于中部枝梗籽粒,中部枝粳籽粒大于上部枝梗籽粒,一、二次枝     

几个不同穗型水稻品种籽粒灌浆特性的研究

为了揭示直立大穗型水稻品种穗上不同粒位籽粒的灌浆特性,以沈农265等5个不同穗型水稻品种为材料进行田间试验,用Richards方程W=A/(1+Be^-bt)^1/N对不同粒位籽粒的灌浆过程进行统计回归分析。结果表明,不同穗型品种不同粒位籽粒灌浆特性存在较大差异,直立穗型品种沈农265差异最大,相对一次枝梗籽粒和上部二次枝梗籽粒而言,中下部二次枝梗籽粒灌浆峰值低且达到峰值的时间晚,但是达到峰值后下降缓慢,因此籽粒增重曲线接近直线,最终粒重也与其他粒位接近。可见尽管供试的直立大穗型品种不同粒位籽粒灌浆存在比较激烈的竞争,但是中部和下部二次枝梗籽粒完全可以正常充实。     

增密减氮对不同类型水稻品种颖花形成的影响

为了明确增密减氮栽培对不同类型水稻品种颖花形成（分化与退化）的影响以及颖花形成与产量的关系，在大田条件下采用裂-裂区试验设计，以籼粳杂交稻（甬优4949）、超级杂交籼稻（扬两优6号）和常规籼稻（黄华占）为供试材料，设置正常氮肥（180kg/hm²）和减氮（90kg/hm²）2个施氮水平，正常密度（30cm×15cm）和增密（20cm×15cm）2个移栽密度处理。结果表明，减氮轻微降低了3个品种的二次枝梗数、颖花分化数和颖花现存数，但差异均不显著；而增密显著降低了颖花分化数和颖花现存数。一次枝梗数、二次枝梗数和幼穗分化期干物质积累对颖花分化数贡献较大。就颖花生产效率而言，增密减氮能有效增加氮素、积温和辐射颖花生产效率，有利于单位面积总颖花数的提高。与扬两优6号和黄华占相比，甬优4949在增密减氮栽培下具有较高的幼穗分化期干物质积累量、颖花生产效率和颖花分化数，从而形成了大的库容，获得了高的产量。     

双季晚粳生产力及相关生态生理特征

于江西鄱阳、上高县,选用代表性晚粳稻品种(武运粳24、南粳44、镇稻11、常优1号、常优5号、甬优8号)在高产栽培条件下以当地代表性晚籼稻品种为对照,系统比较了粳、籼稻间产量、品质和效益的差异,初步阐明了双季晚粳生产力优势,并从温光利用、株型、光合物质生产等方面探讨了其优势形成的生态生理特征。结果表明,3年晚粳平均产量分别为9.6、8.3、9.9 t hm^-2 (2011年上高县甬优8号最高产量田块达10.6 t hm^-2),极显著高于晚籼,而其产量高的主要原因是每穗粒数、结实率显著或极显著高于籼稻;晚粳加工品质、食味品质优于晚籼(晚粳出糙率、精米率、整精米率显著或极显著高;其直链淀粉、蛋白质含量显著或极显著低,胶稠度显著或极显著长),外观品质逊于晚籼(粳稻的垩白率、垩白大小、垩白度均显著或极显著高于籼稻);晚粳效益高于晚籼(3年晚粳的纯收益分别为11 890.6、10 252.1、16 565.9元 hm^-2,分别高23.8%、23.6%、26.7%)。双季晚粳生产力优势形成的相关生理生态特征为,较籼稻全生育期特别是结实期明显延长,抽穗结实期较籼稻适应凉爽气候,增加对温光资源利用,能正常成熟;后期有较高光合生产能力,增大了群体光合物质生产积累量,源库协调性好,库容总充实量高;生育后期在偏低温气候下不早衰,维持较强根系和较大茎鞘强度,具有较强群体抗倒伏能力。     

甬优系列籼粳杂交稻氮肥群体最高生产力的优势及形成特征

以长江下游地区大面积种植的4种类型(籼粳杂交稻、常规粳稻、杂交粳稻和杂交籼稻)水稻品种中有代表性的品种为材料,设置6个氮肥水平(0、187.5、225.0、262.5、300.0、337.5 kg hm–2),比较研究其氮肥群体最高生产力及其产量构成、关键生育阶段天数、主要生育时期的叶面积指数和干物重。结果表明:(1)杂交籼稻获得最高生产力对应的施氮量为225.0~262.5 kg hm–2,常规粳稻为300.0 kg hm–2,杂交粳稻和籼粳杂交稻为262.5~300.0 kg hm–2。(2)氮肥群体最高生产力以籼粳杂交稻最高,达12.2(12.0~12.3)t hm–2,较杂交粳稻、常规粳稻和杂交籼稻分别高出6.6%、9.8%和19.6%(两年平均值)。群体颖花量和每穗粒数均以籼粳杂交稻最高,但其每穗粒数年度间波动较大。穗数和结实率以常规粳稻最高。(3)播种至抽穗期天数以杂交粳稻最长,抽穗至成熟期天数则以籼粳杂交稻最长,达60 d左右。全生育期天数呈杂交粳稻常规粳稻籼粳杂交稻杂交籼稻。两年中日产量以籼粳杂交稻最高。(4)籼粳杂交稻在抽穗、抽穗后20 d和成熟期的叶面积指数和干物重均显著高于另外3种类型品种,且抽穗至成熟期的干物质积累量也最高。此外,籼粳杂交稻在拔节至抽穗期以及抽穗至成熟期的光合势显著高于另外3种类型品种。较多的每穗粒数、较长的灌浆期天数以及较高的日产量、生育后期(抽穗至成熟期)较强的光合物质生产能力是籼粳杂交稻氮肥群体最高生产力形成的重要原因和基础。     

花后低温对水稻籽粒灌浆与内源激素含量的影响

以籼粳杂交稻甬优538、甬优17和籼稻中浙优1号、粳稻浙粳88为材料,设置灌浆期不同时段低温处理,分析籽粒灌浆过程中内源激素含量的动态变化及其差异。结果表明,花后不同时段低温对籽粒灌浆的影响表现为前期>中期>后期,而中、后期与对照差异不大,且低温对甬优17、中浙优1号籽粒灌浆的影响大于对甬优538和浙粳88。花后前期低温显著降低甬优17号籽粒灌浆,延长灌浆时间,而甬优538与对照差异不明显。花后不同温度处理下供试品种内源激素含量变化存在一定差异,其变化与品种灌浆动态保持一致。花后前、中期低温明显降低甬优17号籽粒中IAA、ZR含量,显著增加GA3、ABA含量;而对甬优538显著下降GA3含量和略增加IAA、ZR含量,这可能是籽粒正常灌浆的主要原因。生产中可通过适宜的激素调控措施来提高水稻籽粒低温灌浆。     

粳稻直立穗与弯曲穗3个杂交组合6个世代穗角和每穗颖花数的遗传分析

调查了3个粳稻杂交组合镇稻88×C堡、丙8979×C堡和丙8979×77302-1的P₁、P₂、F₁、B₁、B₂和F₂ 6个世代的穗角和每穗颖花数性状的表型分布。运用主基因+多基因混合遗传模型和6个世代联合分析的方法,对这两个性状进行了遗传分析。结果表明,穗角和每穗颖花数性状均受2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+加性-显性-上位性多基因共同控制;穗角性状以加性效应为主,每穗颖花数性状以上位性效应为主;穗角和每穗颖花数都以主基因遗传为主。     

杂交粳稻产量性状与品质性状相关性分析

为了探明杂交粳稻的产量性状与品质性状间的关系,以5个千粒重介于23.5~27.4 g之间的BT型不育系和40个千粒重介于18.7~31.2 g之间的三系粳稻恢复系,采用5×40 NCⅡ设计方式,配制200个杂交组合为试验材料,对产量性状、品质性状及其相互关系进行了分析,主要结果表明：单株谷重与单株有效穗数、每穗实粒数、结实率、千粒重均呈极显著正相关（r=0.47**,0.63**,0.53**,0.35**）,与穗长呈显著正相关(r=0.15**);对单株产量贡献最大的是每穗实粒数。垩白粒率和垩白度2个性状是杂交粳稻品质改良的重点,其次是精米率和整精米率;糙米率、精米率、整精米率相互间均呈极显著正相关,糙米率与垩白粒率和垩白度呈极显著正相关（r=0.33**,0.25**）。产量性状对品质性状的影响不大,通过筛选,可以将高产、优质的性状聚合到同一杂交组合中。     

外源ABA和GA对水稻不同粒位籽粒主要米质性状的影响

以中熟籼稻扬稻6号和中熟粳稻扬粳9538为材料,灌浆初期通过喷施低浓度的ABA (75.7 μmol L^-1)和GA (57.7 μmol L^-1)处理,研究其对水稻穗部不同粒位籽粒品质的影响。结果表明,灌浆初期喷施低浓度的外源ABA和GA对米质影响较大,影响程度因激素种类和籽粒着生部位不同而异。ABA增加千粒重和整精米率,降低垩白度;其影响对同枝梗上开花较迟的籽粒大于对其他粒位籽粒,对同部位二次枝梗籽粒大于对一次枝梗籽粒。外源GA处理则显著或极显著降低千粒重、整精米率、胶稠度、粗蛋白含量,增加垩白度、直链淀粉含量;同一枝梗不同粒位籽粒间,对较早开花籽粒千粒重和整精米率的影响大于对较迟开花籽粒,对垩白度、直链淀粉含量和蛋白质的影响则与ABA相反。     

Development of critical nitrogen dilution curve in rice based on leaf dry matter

The critical nitrogen (N_c), defined as the minimum N concentration required for maximum growth, is proposed for diagnosis of the in-season N status in crop plants. It has been established for several crops including rice on whole-plant dry matter (DM) basis but has not been determined for canopy leaf basis. This research was undertaken to develop a new N_c dilution curve based on leaf dry matter (L_DM) and to assess its applicability to estimate the level of N nutrition for Japonica rice in east China. Three field experiments were conducted with varied N rates (0–360 kg N ha⁻¹) and three Japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids, Lingxiangyou-18 (LXY-18), Wuxiangjing-14 (WXJ-14) and Wuyunjing (WYJ) in Jiangsu province of east China. Five hills from each plot were sampled from active tillering to heading for growth analysis and leaf N determination. The N_c dilution curve on leaf N concentration was described by the equation N_c = 3.76W^−0.218, when L_DM ranged from 0.67 to 4.25 t ha⁻¹. However, for L_DM < 0.67 t ha⁻¹, the constant critical value N_c = 4.09%L_DM was applied. This N_c dilution curve on L_DM basis was slightly higher than the curves on plant DM basis in Japonica rice, yet both lower than the reference curve of high yielding Indica rice in tropics. The N nutrition index (NNI) and accumulated N deficit (N_and) of leaves ranged from 0.65 to 1.06 and 79.62 to −6.39 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, during main growth stages under varied N rates in 2010 and 2011. The results indicate that the present N_c dilution curve and derived NNI and N_and adequately identified the situations of N-limiting and non-N-limiting nutrition in two rice varieties and could be used as reliable indicators of N status during growth of Japonica rice in east China.     

籼粳交超级稻甬优538花后氮素积累模型与特征分析

以甬优籼粳交超级稻甬优538为试材,常规粳稻镇稻18和杂交籼稻中浙优1号为对照,研究甬优籼粳杂交稻花后氮素积累特征以及比较不同类型品种花后氮素积累特征差异。结果表明: (1)两年中,甬优538平均产量为12.5 t hm^-2,显著高于对照。抽穗期、成熟期及抽穗-成熟期氮素积累量均呈甬优538>镇稻18>中浙优1号。百千克籽粒吸氮量以镇稻18最高,甬优538最低;氮肥偏生产力则以甬优538最高,镇稻18最低。甬优538花后茎鞘氮素转运量和转运率、穗部氮素积累量显著高于对照。(2)镇稻18和甬优538花后各时期氮素积累量均高于中浙优1号,且各品种花后氮素积累量与花后天数均以Richards方程拟合效果较好(R²均大于0.995)。分析特征参数,花后最大氮素积累速率、花后平均氮素积累速率及花后到达最大氮素积累速率的时间均呈镇稻18>中浙优1号>甬优538,花后氮素有效吸收时间则呈甬优538>镇稻18>中浙优1号。花后氮素积累渐增期、缓增期的持续天数、积累速率和积累量以镇稻18最高、甬优538最低,快增期的持续天数和积累量以甬优538显著高于对照。本研究结果表明,甬优538花后较强的氮素积累优势集中在快增期,此期氮素积累量占其花后氮素积累总量的86.1%(两年平均值)。且甬优538在花后快增期较强的氮素积累能力主要在于其较长的快增期持续天数。     

Rice dry matter and nitrogen accumulation,soil mineral N around root and N leaching,with increasing application rates of fertilizer

Rice morphology and N leaching, together with mineral N in the soil and soil solution around root, were determined at different growth stages in a 3-year experiment located in the Taihu Lake region, China. The results showed that the N application rates had little impact on the soil mineral N around root, but increased the dry matter and N accumulation aboveground in the high fertility soil (55.3 mg kg⁻¹ of soil mineral N before rice season in 2008). However, no significant difference in grain yield was observed in all N treatments in these 3 years. Path analysis showed that spikelet per panicle made the greatest direct contribution (0.781) and total contribution (0.309) to grain yield compared to other yield components. And a higher panicle per m² and dry matter accumulation resulted in yield decline later in the season due to a decline in the percentage of filled grains.No significant increases in plant N uptake, regardless of N application rates, were observed at the seedling stage, which indicated that lower N application rates could suffice during the rice early growing stages. Nitrate contents, in spite of high N rates input, in the percolation water were all below 1.0 mg L⁻¹ throughout the rice growing season. The increased N rates showed an increment of total N leaching through the percolation water, but not significant. The cumulative total N leaching only accounted for 1.86–4.96% of N fertilizer input, which suggested the N leaching should not be considered as main pollution resources in paddy filed in summer rice season. However, the evaluation of N leaching in different stages indicated that N leaching at seedling stage was larger in dominant (averaged 39.8% of total N leaching) than other stages. For the lower absorbing ability of rice seedling and more N leaching risk, suggestions on N fertilizer reduction should be made at rice early growing stage in this region.     

川东南高温伏旱区杂交中稻品种库源结构对稻米整精米率与垩白粒率的影响

以25个杂交中稻组合为材料,研究了品种齐穗期库源结构对稻米整精米率与垩白粒率的影响。结果表明：整精米率与源库比呈极显著负相关,垩白粒率与源库比呈显著或极显著正相关。其原因在于,随着杂交组合每穗着粒数的增加,单位颖花的源占有量减少,稻穗籽粒灌浆速率降低,灌浆历期延长,籽粒容重增大,整精米率提高;当籽粒灌浆     

Changes in bread-making quality attributes of bread wheat varieties cultivated in Spain during the 20th century

Genetic gains in quality traits were assessed in grain samples from 4 field experiments involving 16 bread wheat varieties representative of those most widely cultivated in Spain during the 20th century. The allelic composition at three glutenin loci (Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1) was obtained by PCR-based DNA markers and published references. From 1930 to 2000 grain protein content decreased by −0.030% y⁻¹, or in relative terms by −0.21% y⁻¹, but the protein produced per hectare increased by 0.39% y⁻¹. Alveographic tests revealed significant changes in dough rheological properties. Dough strength (W) and tenacity (P) increased at relative rates of 1.38% y⁻¹ and 0.99% y⁻¹, respectively, while dough extensibility (L) decreased by −0.46% y⁻¹, resulting in an increase of 1.45% y⁻¹in dough equilibrium (P/L). The rise in protein quality could be related to the replacement of the null allele by subunits 1 or 2* at Glu-A1 and the prevalence of subunits 7 + 8 and 5 + 10 at Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci, respectively, in the most recent varieties. Dough extensibility was affected by water input during the crop cycle, this relationship being partially explained by the presence of the 5 + 10 HMW glutenin subunit. Fermentation tolerance was improved in the most modern varieties. Collapse during fermentation was avoided only in doughs with a W ≥ 159 J × 10⁻⁴ and a P/L ≥ 0.56 mm H₂O mm⁻¹, levels achieved by most of the modern varieties. The over-strong and unbalanced rheological properties of some modern varieties resulted in highly porous doughs, and no clear advances in dough maximum height during fermentation were attained.     

Seed priming improves stand establishment and productivity of no till wheat grown after direct seeded aerobic and transplanted flooded rice

No tillage (NT) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) offers a pragmatic option for resolving the time and edaphic conflicts in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat cropping system (RWS). However, poor stand establishment is an issue in NT wheat, which adversely affects crop growth, grain yield, and profitability. Therefore, a 2-year field study was conducted to assess the potential role of seed priming in improving the stand establishment, grain yield, water productivity and profitability of NT and plough till (PT) wheat grown after direct seeded aerobic (conservation) and puddled transplanted flooded (conventional) rice-based systems. For seed priming, wheat seeds were soaked in aerated water (hydropriming) or solution of CaCl₂ (ψs −1.25 MPa; osmopriming) for 12 h, and non-primed seeds were used as control. After harvest of rice, grown as direct seeded aerobic and puddled transplanted flooded crop, primed and non-primed wheat seeds were sown following NT and PT. In both years, stand establishment of NT wheat after direct seeded aerobic and puddled transplanted flooded rice was impeded. Nonetheless, seed priming improved the stand establishment which was visible through earliness and better uniformity of seedling emergence. Overall, primed seeds completed 50% emergence in 6.4 days, against 7.8 days taken by non-primed seeds in NT wheat. The highest emergence index (41.7) was recorded in primed seeds versus 32.0 for non-primed seeds. Improved stand establishment enhanced growth, grain yield, water productivity and profitability in NT wheat. In this regard, osmopriming was the most effective, and produced grain yield of 4.5 Mg ha⁻¹ against 3.8 Mg ha⁻¹ for non-primed seeds in NT wheat. Water productivity of the NT wheat grown from osmoprimed seeds was 8.72 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ while that from non-primed seeds was 7.21 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹. Among the RWSs, the maximum wheat biomass was produced with PT after direct seeded aerobic rice. However, grain yield, water productivity, and profitability were the highest in NT wheat following direct seeded aerobic rice. Wheat yields grown after direct seeded aerobic rice and transplanted flooded rice were 4.4 and 4.2 Mg ha⁻¹ respectively. Planting NT wheat after direct seeded aerobic rice provided the highest system productivity (1.80) than other RWSs. Thus, seed priming is a viable option to improve the stand establishment, grain yield, water productivity and profitability of NT wheat in the RWS. Nonetheless, osmopriming was a better option than hydropriming in this regard.