Rice Research: Open Access
Open Access

Rice productivity; Drought resilience; Salinity tolerance; Water use efficiency; Nitrogen management; Climate-smart agriculture; Genetic diversity; Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM); Rhizosphere microbiome; System of Rice Intensification (SRI); Epigenetic regulation

Introduction

This article explores strategies for enhancing drought resilience in rice, a major hurdle for global production. It emphasizes combining traditional breeding with advanced molecular techniques, like marker-assisted selection and genetic engineering, to develop varieties that maintain high yields under water scarcity. The research also focuses on understanding the genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance, setting the stage for targeted improvements in rice productivity[1].

This review summarizes various climate-smart agricultural practices vital for sustainable rice production and food security amid climate change. It brings together findings on techniques like water-saving irrigation, improved nutrient management, and stress-tolerant varieties that not only boost yields but also reduce environmental impact. The article advocates for a comprehensive approach to adapt rice farming systems to new climatic realities, crucial for maintaining global rice productivity[2].

This study focuses on the essential role of nitrogen management in maximizing rice productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability. It investigates different nitrogen application methods, including timing, dosage, and formulation, to optimize nutrient use efficiency and minimize losses. The findings indicate that precise nitrogen management can significantly increase rice yields and quality, reducing the ecological footprint associated with excessive fertilizer use, thus fostering more efficient rice farming[3].

This research harnesses the extensive genetic diversity within rice to pinpoint valuable traits for improving grain yield and overall quality. By analyzing various rice germplasms, the study identifies specific genes and markers linked to higher productivity, enhanced nutritional content, and better stress tolerance. These insights are vital for plant breeders to develop superior rice varieties through targeted genetic approaches, ultimately boosting rice productivity and food security[4].

This article delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) for ensuring sustainable rice production. It highlights how combining biological, cultural, and chemical control methods can effectively reduce crop losses from pests and diseases, thereby safeguarding rice yields. The study emphasizes a systems approach to IPDM, adapting strategies to local conditions, which is essential for maintaining and enhancing rice productivity in an eco-friendly manner[5].

This paper reviews the latest advancements in improving salinity tolerance in rice, a critical obstacle for productivity in coastal and irrigated regions. It details various genetic and biotechnological approaches, including gene editing and marker-assisted selection, aimed at developing salt-tolerant rice varieties. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance is fundamental to these efforts, providing pathways to sustain and boost rice yields in areas affected by increasing soil salinity[6].

This review synthesizes current knowledge on improving water use efficiency in rice farming, a critical aspect for sustainable productivity given global water scarcity. It examines various sustainable agricultural practices, such as alternate wetting and drying, as well as genetic modifications aimed at developing rice varieties that require less water without compromising yield. The paper underscores the combined approach of agronomic management and genetic engineering as essential for maximizing rice output with limited water resources[7].

This research emphasizes the crucial role of the rice rhizosphere microbiome—the community of microorganisms in the soil around rice roots—in affecting plant health and productivity. It explores how these microbial communities contribute to nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and disease resistance, directly impacting rice yield. Understanding and manipulating this intricate ecosystem offers a promising path for developing bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, leading to more sustainable and productive rice farming systems[8].

This review examines the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a methodology with significant potential for increasing rice productivity and enhancing sustainability. It summarizes SRI's core principles, such as single seedling transplanting, wide spacing, and intermittent irrigation, and analyzes their effects on yield, water use, and soil health. The article concludes that adopting and adapting SRI practices can lead to higher rice yields with fewer inputs, making it a promising approach for future rice cultivation[9].

This article explores the emerging field of epigenetic regulation in rice, highlighting its potential to boost grain yield and improve tolerance to various environmental stresses. It details how epigenetic modifications, which alter gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, can be utilized to develop new rice varieties with desirable traits. Understanding these mechanisms opens new avenues for non-genetically modified approaches to increase rice productivity and adaptability in challenging environments[10].

Description

Global rice production is continually challenged by abiotic stresses like drought and salinity, necessitating robust strategies for yield stability. Research indicates that enhancing drought resilience is a primary concern for maintaining global output. This involves integrating traditional breeding with cutting-edge molecular techniques, such as marker-assisted selection and genetic engineering, to cultivate varieties that thrive even under water scarcity. Such studies are crucial for deciphering the genetic mechanisms underpinning drought tolerance, thereby enabling more targeted improvements in rice productivity[1]. Parallel efforts focus on improving salinity tolerance, which is vital for maintaining productivity in coastal and irrigated regions increasingly impacted by soil salinization. This area sees advancements in genetic and biotechnological approaches, including gene editing and marker-assisted selection, all aimed at developing salt-tolerant rice varieties by understanding their complex physiological and molecular responses[6]. Furthermore, leveraging the vast genetic diversity within rice germplasms is fundamental to identifying valuable traits. This approach helps pinpoint specific genes and markers associated with higher productivity, improved nutritional content, and enhanced stress tolerance, providing essential insights for breeders to develop superior rice varieties and bolster food security[4].

Efficient resource management and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices are paramount for sustainable rice cultivation amidst changing environmental conditions. Improving water use efficiency, for example, is a critical objective given widespread water scarcity. Investigations explore various sustainable practices, such as alternate wetting and drying, along with genetic modifications designed to produce rice varieties that demand less water without compromising yield. This combined approach of agronomic management and genetic engineering is seen as essential for maximizing rice output with limited water resources[7]. Optimized nitrogen management also plays a significant role in maximizing rice productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. Studies delve into different nitrogen application methods, including precise timing, appropriate dosage, and effective formulation, to enhance nutrient use efficiency and mitigate environmental losses. Findings consistently demonstrate that accurate nitrogen management can substantially increase rice yields and quality, simultaneously reducing the ecological footprint linked to excessive fertilizer use, thereby fostering more efficient farming practices[3]. Overall, a comprehensive set of climate-smart agricultural practices, including water-saving irrigation, advanced nutrient management, and the deployment of stress-tolerant varieties, is indispensable for adapting rice farming systems to evolving climatic realities and sustaining global rice productivity[2].

Addressing biotic stresses through effective integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) is another cornerstone of sustainable rice production. This approach emphasizes combining biological, cultural, and judicious chemical control methods to efficiently reduce crop losses from pests and diseases, thereby safeguarding rice yields. The research underscores the necessity of a systems approach to IPDM, adapting strategies to specific local conditions, which is crucial for maintaining and enhancing rice productivity in an eco-friendly manner[5]. Complementing this, the rice rhizosphere microbiome, the complex community of microorganisms surrounding rice roots, is recognized as a vital player in influencing plant health and overall productivity. Studies explore how these microbial communities facilitate nutrient uptake, bolster stress tolerance, and enhance disease resistance, all directly contributing to improved rice yield. Understanding and strategically manipulating this intricate ecosystem presents a promising avenue for developing novel bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, leading to more sustainable and productive rice farming systems[8].

Innovative methodologies such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) offer substantial potential for augmenting rice productivity and promoting sustainability. Reviews of SRI highlight its core principles, like single seedling transplanting, wider spacing, and intermittent irrigation, and analyze their positive impacts on yield, water use efficiency, and soil health. The consensus is that adopting and adapting SRI practices can achieve higher rice yields with reduced inputs, establishing it as a promising approach for future rice cultivation[9]. Furthermore, the burgeoning field of epigenetic regulation in rice is opening new frontiers. This research details how epigenetic modifications, which alter gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, can be harnessed to develop new rice varieties possessing desirable traits such as improved grain yield and enhanced tolerance to various environmental stresses. Understanding these mechanisms provides novel, non-genetically modified pathways to increase rice productivity and adaptability, particularly in challenging environments[10]. Together, these diverse research areas illustrate a holistic commitment to advancing rice agriculture for global food security.

Conclusion

Enhancing global rice productivity and ensuring food security demands multifaceted strategies addressing various environmental and agricultural challenges. Research highlights the development of drought-resilient rice varieties through integrated breeding and advanced molecular techniques, like genetic engineering, to maintain high yields under water scarcity. Similarly, improving salinity tolerance in rice is critical for productivity in affected regions, employing genetic and biotechnological approaches including gene editing. Water use efficiency is paramount, with studies focusing on sustainable practices such as alternate wetting and drying and genetic modifications for less water-dependent varieties. Climate-smart agricultural practices, encompassing water-saving irrigation, optimized nutrient management, and stress-tolerant varieties, are crucial for adapting rice farming to climate change. Specifically, precise nitrogen management is shown to boost yields, quality, and environmental sustainability by optimizing nutrient use. Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) strategies combine biological, cultural, and chemical controls to reduce crop losses and promote eco-friendly production. Exploring the extensive genetic diversity within rice helps identify valuable traits for improving grain yield and quality. Moreover, the rice rhizosphere microbiome plays a key role in plant health, nutrient uptake, and stress resistance, offering avenues for bio-fertilizers. Methodologies like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) promise higher yields with fewer inputs through practices like single seedling transplanting. The emerging field of epigenetic regulation also presents opportunities to enhance grain yield and stress tolerance without altering DNA sequences, contributing to more adaptable rice varieties.

References

1. Sarangi S, Verma MK, Devi M (2023) Enhancing drought resilience in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through integrated breeding and molecular approaches. Planta 258:86.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

2. Mohammad MR, Md SU, Md NU (2021) Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Rice Production and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: A Review. Agronomy 11:965.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

3. Md SI, Mohammad MR, Md AH (2022) Optimized Nitrogen Management for Enhancing Rice Productivity and Environmental Sustainability. Plants 11:1742.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

4. Manoj S, Vishal K, Ankita G (2024) Harnessing genetic diversity for improving grain yield and quality in rice. Sci Rep 14:2379.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

5. Le TTH, Vu HT, Vu DTG (2022) Integrated pest and disease management for sustainable rice production: Challenges and opportunities. Front Plant Sci 13:956784.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

6. Rakesh KS, Manisha S, Manisha D (2023) Enhancing Salinity Tolerance in Rice: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Rice Sci 30:489-506.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

7. Ankita G, Vishal K, Pooja S (2023) Improving Water Use Efficiency in Rice Cultivation: A Review of Sustainable Practices and Genetic Interventions. Agriculture 13:1184.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

8. Yong M, Heng S, Zhen Z (2022) The rice rhizosphere microbiome: a crucial player in plant health and productivity. Plant Biotechnol J 20:1466-1481.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

9. Hamid K, Pradeep KS, Hiralal M (2021) Advancements in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Enhanced Productivity and Sustainability: A Review. Front Plant Sci 12:670607.

   Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef

10. Yong L, Hui W, Min Z (2021) Epigenetic regulation in rice: a promising avenue for improving grain yield and stress tolerance. J Exp Bot 72:1982-1996.

    Indexed at, Google Scholar, CrossRef