144 (eds M.C.S. Wopereis et al.) Crop and water management can be improved through efficient irrigation schemes, better infrastructure and hydrological control, and optimal use of fertilizers, which can alleviate some of the effects of abiotic stresses. These measures are effective in reducing yield losses, and most improved varieties are responsive to such measures, consequently stabilizing pr...

India possesses an immense wealth of Basmati and non Basmati aromatic rice varieties and land races exhibiting a wide variability in their grain quality and cooking characteristics. Among non basmati aromatic rices, Kalanamak is an important and popular scented rice variety grown in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. This variety is famous for its taste and aroma. In eastern India it is cooked in honour of...

We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input farming systems in West Africa. Using 20 morphological traits and 176 molecular markers, 182 farmer varieties of rice (Oryza spp.) from 6 West African countries were characterized. Principal component analysis showed that the four botanical groups (Oryza sativa ssp. indica, O. sativa ssp. japonica, O. ...

Biochar addition to soil not only sequesters carbon for the long-term but enhances agricultural productivity. Several well-known benefits arise from biochar amendment, including constant provision of nutrients, increased soil moisture retention, decreased soil bulk density, and sometimes the induction of systemic resistance against foliar and soil borne plant pathogens. However, no research has...

Rice has become a major staple cereal in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, upland rice cultivation is expanding particularly in rainfed areas where the root parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, a major constraint to cereal production, is endemic. Laboratory, pot, and semi-controlled open air experiments were performed to evaluate resistance of selected rice varieties in Sudan to a resident S. hermon...

Cytokinins (CTKs) regulate panicle size and mediate heat tolerance in crops. To investigate the effect of high temperature on panicle CTK expression and the role of such expression in panicle differentiation in rice, four rice varieties (Nagina22, N22; Huanghuazhan, HHZ; Liangyoupeijiu, LYPJ; and Shanyou63, SY63) were grown under normal conditions and subjected to three high temperature treatme...

Insecticide susceptibility and virulence to resistant rice varieties were determined and evaluated in the brown planthopper (BPH) and the whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), collected from Asian countries (Japan, China, Taiwan, northern Vietnam, southern Vietnam, and Philippines) in 2006. Insecticide susceptibility was determined by a topical application method using four insecticides. Virulence to...

grain discoloration caused by fungi agents, in crop season that the mature grain stage coincides with rain, it causes many damages. in this research effect of paddy discoloration of three varieties (hashemi, gohar and khazar) and disease index in two levels (high and low disease index levels) on grain apparent quality, milling properties and grain bending strength was investigated in a factoria...

Calcium–fortified rice is normal rice fortified with calcium and processed by consecutive steps, i.e. infusion or soaking of the rice grain in a calcium salt solution, draining and drying. Heating during infusion causes pregelatinization of rice starch resulting in a change in the pasting properties of Ca-fortified rice. Pasting properties determine the cooking quality of rice. The purpose of t...