Rice
Oryza sativa
About Rice
Rice is the staple food for over half the world's population, providing more than 20% of global human calorie intake. Two major species are cultivated: Oryza sativa (Asian rice, grown worldwide) and O. glaberrima (African rice, grown in West Africa). Rice is typically grown in flooded paddies but can also be grown as upland (rainfed) crop. It is the most important food crop in Asia and increasingly important in sub-Saharan Africa where consumption is rising rapidly. Major producers include China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Rice production supports the livelihoods of over 1 billion people in Asia alone, making it arguably the most economically important crop on Earth.
Growing Conditions
Full sun — requires high light intensity for optimal tillering and grain fill
Very high water requirement. Paddy rice requires 1,200-2,000 mm per crop. Standing water (5-10 cm) maintained through most of the growing season.
Heavy clay or clay loam that holds water. pH 5.5-6.5. Puddled (saturated) soils ideal for lowland paddy.
Optimal 25-32°C. Sensitive to cold below 15°C (especially at flowering) and extreme heat above 35°C at anthesis.
Tolerates high humidity but this favors blast and sheath blight diseases.
Warm season — 90-180 days depending on variety. Tropical regions may grow 2-3 crops per year.
Step-by-Step Growing Tips
Prepare nursery beds 25-30 days before transplanting
Transplant 2-3 seedlings per hill at 20 × 20 cm spacing
Maintain 5-10 cm water depth from transplanting to 2 weeks before harvest
Apply nitrogen in 3 splits: basal, tillering, and panicle initiation
Drain fields 2 weeks before harvest to facilitate drying and harvesting
Use certified seed of recommended varieties for your region
Disease Risks to Watch
All diseases →La piriculariosis del arroz es causada por Magnaporthe oryzae, la enfermedad del arroz más destructiva globalmente. Produce lesiones diamantinas grises en las hojas y puede pudrir el cuello de la panícula, causando pérdida total de grano. Maneje con variedades resistentes, fertilización nitrogenada balanceada, enmiendas de silicio y aplicaciones de fungicida con triciclazol o azoxistrobina en la iniciación de la panícula.
El tizón bacteriano de la hoja del arroz es causado por Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Provoca marchitamiento desde las puntas foliares con pérdidas de hasta 70 %. Guía completa de tratamiento y prevención.
El tizón de la vaina del arroz es causado por Rhizoctonia solani. Produce lesiones en vainas que ascienden hasta la panícula, con pérdidas de 20-50 %. Guía de tratamiento y prevención.
Companion Planting
✅ Good Companions
Growing Zones
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant Rice?
Warm season — 90-180 days depending on variety. Tropical regions may grow 2-3 crops per year.
What soil does Rice need?
Heavy clay or clay loam that holds water. pH 5.5-6.5. Puddled (saturated) soils ideal for lowland paddy.
How much water does Rice need?
Very high water requirement. Paddy rice requires 1,200-2,000 mm per crop. Standing water (5-10 cm) maintained through most of the growing season.
What are the most common diseases affecting Rice?
The most common diseases are: rice blast, rice bacterial leaf blight, rice sheath blight. Monitor regularly and practice crop rotation.
What plants grow well with Rice?
Good companions include: azolla, duckweed. Avoid planting near no specific plants.
Related Crops — Poaceae
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