Book

Description

Rice is more than a staple crop—it is a cornerstone of global food security, rural livelihoods, and agricultural economies. Yet, rice production is increasingly threatened by climate change, emerging diseases, environmental stresses, and the growing demand for higher productivity and better grain quality. These challenges are particularly important for Basmati rice, renowned worldwide for its distinctive aroma, grain quality, and economic value. Climate-Resilient Rice: Breeding, Disease Resistance and Molecular Approaches provides a comprehensive scientific perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing modern rice production. The book explores the complex relationship between climate variability, rice productivity, genetic diversity, and disease development, while highlighting innovative approaches for developing resilient rice cultivars. Beginning with the impact of a changing climate on rice cultivation, the book examines rice production systems, genetic resources, and the unique characteristics of Basmati rice. It provides detailed discussions of major rice diseases, with particular emphasis on Bacterial Leaf Blight and Sheath Blight, including their biology, epidemiology, disease cycles, host–pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of resistance. The book also considers how temperature, rainfall, humidity, and other environmental factors can influence disease incidence and severity. A major strength of this volume is its focus on integrating conventional plant breeding with modern molecular technologies. The book is designed for researchers, plant breeders, plant pathologists, molecular biologists, agricultural scientists, graduate students, and professionals working in rice improvement and crop protection. It emphasizes the importance of combining scientific innovation with genetic resources and effective disease management to safeguard rice production for future generations.