Advances in Rice Science

Contents Preface 1 About the rice crop 2 Origin physiology and evolution in rice and its molecular basis 3 Seed germination seedling vigours and establishment 4 Physiology of growth and development 5 Hybrid rice concepts methodologies and recent development 6 Cultural practices 7 Plant nutrition and management 8 Weed management 9 Insects--pests and diseases their control measurers 10 Research trends in rice food science 11 Research advances in rice biotechnology IndexFrom the preface Rice science has reached to a highly technology concept since its inception of research on traditional cultivation practice to genetic manipulation for enriched rice With recent consolidated and professionally target oriented scientific research base it seems very interesting but complex to understand and found challenges to present in lucid manner to gain popularity among broad base graduates and research scholarsNature possesses its wide adaptability rare to any species irrespective to diverse environmental conditions climates latitudes or longitudes Thus it is can be grown irrespective of land types water availability and management practices viz deep semi-deep upland aerobic etc By-products are the source of antioxidants and anti-allergent extracts help in gastro-wound healing Rice bran plays a putative chemo-preventive intervention red mold rice possesses a considerably lower triglyceride and cholesterol concentration in serum Rice straw contains acid-detergent lignin better fibers quality than any other natural cellulose fiber of agricultural origin a future source of ethanol productionHowever the crop behavior should be understood well to harness its advantage Evolutionary genetic advancement is taken utmost care to trace out the gene flow from natural populations wild plants to cultivated rice Biotechnological make-up and genetic tools need enough concentration not only for heterosis combining ability but also on super golden rice The existence of large variability among rice germplasms and cultivars in morpho-agronomic and anatomical characters offers great opportunities to the breeders for efficient utilizations of rice genotypes to build up ideal rice cultivars with high yielding capacities and short duration and tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stress factorsSufficient research progress has been attained on variability in seed characteristics and chemistry influencing seed quality Seed storage conditions affect seed quality and seed germination Several biochemical changes occur during seed germination that also involves the role of genes Several seed priming techniques have been adopted to improve seed germination and seedling vigourIncreasing salinity reduces germination and seedling growth and affects crop growth in rice at different growth stages though it is considered as a salt-tolerant crop but rice was more tolerant at germination than at other stages Molecular level of salt tolerance is also a need to be undertaken in the contexts of whole plants and of plant breedingGrowth is regulated by the regulation of cell division elongation leading to the organ development Intensive research activities have been concentrated on the physiology of crop growth and development such as on spectral reflection photosynthesis RuBP reaction respiration A total of 22 QTL have been identified for crop growth in riceCultural practices play an important role on the determination of rice productivity and its quality Ratooning ill documented traditional agronomic practice followed sporadically worldwide gives enough scope for exploring productivity in areas where cropping intensity is mainly limited by shortage of irrigation and low temperatureRice producers and experts should keep a keen match on each growth phase of rice and identify deficiencies and possible correction in each phase The uptake and accumulation of different heavy metals such as selenium cadmium lead arsenic in contaminated soil have direct impact on rice quality and health ha.…