The Relevance of Rice

Abstract

Research into rice-the world's most important food crop-is crucial for the development of technologies that will increase productivity for farmers who rely on rice for their livelihood. This is particularly the case throughout the developing countries of Asia and is also true for much of Latin America and, increasingly, Africa. The benefits of such increased productivity will flow through to ricegrowing countries' landless rural and urban poor, all of whom (1) are net consumers of rice and (2) spend a large proportion of their income on rice. Recent steep rises in the price of rice have amplified the need for investment in highquality research targeted toward both the intensive irrigated rice-based systems (in which 75% of the world's rice is grown and that must provide the rice for rapidly increasing urban populations) and the rainfed rice-based systems (many of which are characterized by unfavorable environments and extreme poverty).

BRS Pampeira: new irrigated rice cultivar with high yield potential

“…Thus, the global food security will continue to depend on the ability to sustain high production yields (Zeigler and Barclay 2008). …”

NAL1 allele from a rice landrace greatly increases yield in modern indica cultivars

“…Predominantly, indica cultivars are grown in southern China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, occupying approximately 70% of the rice-producing area in the world, whereas japonica cultivars are grown mainly in East Asia (3,4). Because of urbanization and industrialization, an increase in the yield of indica cultivars is a pressing need in Southeast and South Asia (5). Additionally, good grain quality (influencing market value) and high yield are essential for the adoption of new cultivars in local areas (6).…”

Application of Virus-Derived Small Interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) in Rice Viruses with Insect Vectors, Especially <em>Rice Grassy Stunt Virus</em>

“…Asia consumes 650 million tons of rice which become 90% of total world production [38], [116]. In Asia, rice production is under serious threat from 10 out of 15 most damaging viruses.…”