Aerobic rice, a new approach of rice cultivation

Abstract

Water shortage is becoming severe in many rice-growing areas in the world, prompting the introduction of water-saving aerobic rice, which is direct-seeded in nonpuddled, nonflooded aerobic soil, aerobic rice systems can reduce water use in rice production by as much as 50% ‘Aerobic rice’ and ‘upland rice’ are both grown under aerobic conditions. However, the former is under controlled water management, but the latter is not. Although the technology of growing rice with the new AWD and aerobic rice systems need to be further refined or developed, a broad adoption of these systems is expected to ensure rice production in water-short areas, and result in significant water saving.