Rice Plant Growth and Development

Abstract

The life cycle of the rice plant is generally 100 to 210 days; the mode falls between 110 and 150 days. In temperate climates, the average duration from sowing to harvest is about 130 to 150 days. Cultivars with growth duration of 150 to 210 days are usually photoperiod sensitive and planted in the deepwater areas. Temperature and day length are the two environmental factors affecting the development of the rice plant, which can be divided into three main phases (Vergara 1970): vegetative phase—from seed germination to panicle initiation reproductive phase—from panicle initiation to anthesis ripening phase—from anthesis to full maturity