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 pyriculariose du riz est causée par Magnaporthe oryzae, la maladie du riz la plus destructrice au monde. Elle produit des lésions grises en forme de losange sur les feuilles et peut pourrir le cou de la panicule, causant une perte totale des grains. Gérez avec des variétés résistantes, une fertilisation azotée équilibrée, des amendements en silicium et des applications de fongicides (tricyclazole ou azoxystrobine) à l'initiation paniculaire.
La brûlure bactérienne des feuilles de riz (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) cause des lésions imbibées d'eau jaune-vert avançant depuis les pointes des feuilles qui sèchent en gris-blanc. Les pertes de rendement atteignent 20-50 %. Gérez avec des variétés résistantes (gènes Xa4, Xa21), un azote équilibré, en évitant les dommages par inondation aux feuilles, et des pulvérisations de cuivre. La phase kresek peut tuer entièrement les jeunes plantules.
La rhizoctoniose de la gaine du riz (Rhizoctonia solani) cause des lésions gris-vert ovales imbibées d'eau sur les gaines foliaires qui s'agrandissent avec des centres gris et des bordures brunes. Les sclérotes flottent dans l'eau de la rizière et infectent au niveau de la ligne d'eau. Gérez avec un azote modéré, en évitant une densité excessive de plants, avec de la validamycine ou de l'azoxystrobine à l'initiation paniculaire, et en incorporant les résidus de culture après la récolte.
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
Growing Rice? Protect It.
CuraPlant scans your crops for diseases and pests in seconds — and gives you a treatment plan tailored to your region and season.