Rice

Rice is a monocotyledon plant of the Phocaea family. It is an important agricultural crop, whose seeds are the main food for large parts of the world’s population.

As of 2009 rice is the third most produced grain crop in the world after maize and wheat. Since a significant portion of maize is not used for food by the people, rice is the most significant grain crop in terms of feeding humanity, and it accounts for over one fifth of the energy consumed by the people. Appropriate regions for rice cultivation are those with significant rainfall and low cost of labor, as it is very labor intensive and requires a significant amount of water. Although it comes from Asia, today rice is grown in different parts of the world, where there are good conditions for that.

Rice is usually grown as an annual plant, although in tropical regions it can live and give crops for 30 years. Depending on the variety and soil fertility the rice plant can reach up to a height of 1-1.8 m. Its leaves are 50-100 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. Wind pollinated small flowers form branched clusters with a length of 30-50 cm. Seeds used for food represent elongated grains 5-12 mm long and 2-3 mm thick.

The traditional method of rice cultivation includes flooding of the field, and at the same time or immediately after that the seedlings are planted. This technology requires good planning and construction of irrigation systems, but limits the growth of less resistant weeds, which cannot grow under water and at the same time repels the pests