Dense planting with reduced nitrogen application can increase rice grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in east China. In a study comparing different rice cultivars, it was found that dense planting led to higher yields and better nitrogen use efficiency, especially for one type of rice called japonica inbred. The dense planting method reduced the number of spikelets per panicle but increased the number of panicles per square meter and the percentage of filled kernels. This resulted in a similar or even higher grain yield compared to conventional high-yielding practices. Additionally, the dense planting approach improved the efficiency of nutrient use and the redistribution of carbohydrates in the rice plants, leading to better overall performance in terms of grain production.