Nutrient management for improving upland rice productivity and sustainability

TLDR

Upland (aerobic) rice, mainly grown in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with Brazil as the largest producer, typically yields less than 2000 kg ha⁻¹ and is limited by water and mineral stress, diseases, insects, and weeds, while research on mitigating these constraints remains scarce. The study aims to alleviate these yield‑limiting factors to improve and stabilize upland rice yields. The authors propose a set of basic principles—water and nutrient management, pest and weed control, erosion mitigation, organic matter maintenance, and crop rotation—to enhance upland rice productivity.

Abstract

Upland rice also known as aerobic rice is mainly grown in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Brazil is the largest producer of upland rice in the world. At world level, average yield of this crop is less than 2000 kg ha−1. The important yield limiting factors are water stress, mineral stress, diseases, insects and weeds. To improve and/or stabilize yield, these yield limiting factors should be alleviated. Research data related to yield limiting factors are scarce and much work is needed to improve upland rice yield under different agroecosystems. In this paper some basic principles to improve yield of this important crop with special reference to water and nutrient management, control of diseases, insects, weeds, and erosion, maintenance of organic matter and crop rotation are suggested. The basic principles to increase yield are similar for different ecosystems, although the technological packages based on these principles vary depending on local specific constraints and socio-economic considerations.