Contents

### **Preface XI**


Preface

Rice has been found in archaeological sites dating back to 8000 BC or even earlier. This crop is unique in a way that it is domesticated independently in several continents such as Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Worldwide production of rice is the third highest after sugarcane and maize and can be thus regarded as central to the lives of millions of people on earth. The yield of rice can be greatly affected by both abiotic and biotic stresses, which under the changing environment are further threatening global food security. The major abiotic stresses include drought, excessive watering, extreme temperatures, salinity and mineral toxicity along with many others. A recent increase in global warming has exposed rice crops to elevated temperatures and drought, which in turn have already offset a sig‐ nificant portion of yield increase. Similarly, heavy metal contamination of agricultural land not only causes abiotic stress for the crop, but has also shown drastic effects on humans. Increased metal concentration in plants leads to the production of reactive oxygen species, which ultimately cause cell death and thus negatively affect overall crop productivity.

Also, the presence of pesticide residues and insect pest attack can reduce the quality and quantity of the rice grain. Some pathogens have the ability to cause devastating diseases in rice, especially in intensive production systems, such as double rice-cropping systems. For instance, the intensity of sheath blight in rice-growing regions has increased due to several agronomic practices, characterized by abundant nitrogenous fertilizer application, increased planting density, and use of popular high-yielding hybrid cultivars. Likewise, *Pomacea canal‐ iculata*, the golden apple snail, is well known as a major pest of rice as it can cause severe damage by completely eliminating the young leaves and stems from the plant base, which may result in the death of damaged plants. To combat such abiotic and biotic stresses, new rice cultivars must be developed, which are not only input and management responsive but are rich in macro- and micronutrients as well. Fortunately, molecular biology has made it

The present book is aimed at attracting a wider range of audience, ranging from rice grow‐ ers, students, and researchers to policymakers, who are somehow directly or indirectly in‐ volved with the rice industry. Although most of the chapters are well focused on the scientific aspects (biofortification, quality and quantity of grain, use of anther culture as a breeding tool, and response and management of crops under elevated temperature) of rice, some chapters may be of particular interest for marketing personnel also. Most of the con‐ tents of this book are very easy to read and understand. We are sure that this book will not only serve in the capacity building of fresh students, but will provide the basis for seasoned scientists to explore further in the relevant field. This concise book on rice will be an invalu‐ able teaching resource and reference text for all academic and practical workers engaged in

possible to develop high-yielding resistant rice cultivars in a short span of time.

rice production systems, which are extremely prone to climatic changes.

