Rice
Rice is a plant belonging to the grass family and is considered one of the most important agricultural crops harvested by humans. It is the primary food source for nearly half of the world’s population, including all the inhabitants of East and Southeast Asia. It is widely popular due to its affordability and efficiency in feeding large populations, especially among Asian communities. Humans consume 95% of the world’s rice production, while the remaining portion is used as feed for livestock and animals.
Rice is an annual herbaceous plant that thrives in very wet environments, often described as semi-aquatic. It grows in clusters of spikes, each containing several grains of rice. The plant’s height typically ranges from 40 to 120 centimeters, although some varieties that float on water can grow up to five meters or more. The rice grains are small, white, and somewhat resemble wheat grains, while the leaves of the plant are green, long, and somewhat flat.
The exact origin of rice is not definitively known, but it is believed to have been cultivated for the first time in eastern China approximately 6,000 years ago.
Rice Cultivation
There are many varieties and strains of rice, which differ slightly in their sizes, characteristics, and the types of grains they produce. Generally, rice is considered a short-lived plant, with a lifespan ranging from three to seven months. Although not an aquatic plant, rice requires vast amounts of water to grow effectively. Therefore, it is described as semi-aquatic and is typically cultivated on floodplains or river deltas where the water level is high.
To cultivate rice, seeds are initially sown in trenches in the soil and left for about a month and a half before being transferred to a field for better care. The field is kept submerged in 5-10 centimeters of water throughout the growing season until harvest time.
Scientific Classification
Rice (in English: Rice) is a cultivated plant of significant nutritional and economic value to humans. Scientifically, it belongs to the monocots within the grass family (Poaceae), one of the most important families of crops due to their production of valuable grains. In addition to rice, this family includes other essential crops like wheat, barley, corn, and oats.
The scientific Latin name of rice is Oryza sativa (commonly abbreviated as O. sativa). The genus Oryza encompasses several types of rice that vary in their characteristics, including Asian rice, cultivated in countries like China, India, Japan, and Thailand, and African rice, which is native to West and Central African nations like Nigeria.
Rice Farming
Rice cultivation is widespread across many regions of the world, particularly in warm and temperate areas with abundant water resources. The largest rice-producing country globally is China, which produced approximately 146.5 million tons in 2016.
Before starting the cultivation process, it is essential to ensure the selection of high-quality seeds, as this can increase yield by 5% to 20%. The seeds should meet standard size requirements, be pure, suitable for planting, and free from harmful seeds of other plants.
The soil used for planting rice is also crucial; it must be properly plowed and leveled, ensuring it is rich in nutrients and minerals. The soil is usually prepared by tilling and mixing it, creating tracks or rows for planting.
Rice requires a moderate to warm climate, ample water supply, and fertile soil rich in organic matter. The land must be free of weeds and preferably located in low-lying plains or river floodplains to make it easier to flood the fields. It is also vital for the field to be leveled to minimize water loss. The optimal planting time is from late spring to early summer. Farmers generally use two methods for preparing the land and planting rice: the broadcasting method and the transplanting method.
Rice Care
Rice cultivation requires fertilization, regular irrigation, and proper maintenance. Irrigation is one of the most critical aspects of rice farming. Farmers must also eliminate weeds, control pests and insects that can harm the crop, and protect against plant diseases.
Rice faces several natural threats, including rodents (like mice and rats) and insects that feed on it. Additionally, various viruses can pose significant risks to the crop. Farmers often resort to vaccines and pesticides to address these issues.
Rice also requires abundant nutrients, such as minerals, to grow effectively. However, the soils in which rice is typically cultivated are naturally rich in these nutrients due to continuous flooding.
