Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population. It is primarily grown in flooded fields and requires high moisture levels.
Rice
Oryza sativa
Cereal
Overview
Common Pests
Brown Planthopper
Symptoms:
Yellowing and wilting of leaves (hopper burn), stunted plant growth, whitish egg scars on leaf midrib.
Stem Borer
Symptoms:
Dead heart symptom in vegetative stage; white ears (poor grain filling) at reproductive stage.
Common Diseases
Rice Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae)
Symptoms:
Diamond-shaped lesions with gray centres and brown margins on leaves, neck, and panicle.
Treatment:
Apply neem-based organic fungicides; ensure good field drainage to reduce humidity.
Bacterial Leaf Blight
Symptoms:
Water-soaked lesions along leaf margins turning yellow, then brown and wilting.
Treatment:
Remove and destroy infected plants; improve water drainage; avoid excess nitrogen.
Soil Requirements
Rice thrives in waterlogged clay loam or alluvial soil with excellent water retention capacity. Avoid sandy or gravelly soils that drain freely.