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Rice is one of the oldest cultivated crops. It has been cultivated in India and China for several thousands of years. A large proportion of world’s population depends on rice for food. Rice contributes to human nutrition up to 20% of the calories consumed worldwide. Rice is grown in a wide range of environments characterized by different temperatures, climates and soil-water conditions. It can grow in areas ill-suited for other crops. Nonetheless, adverse environmental conditions seriously threaten rice production causing enormous losses in large areas of the world, even in the most productive irrigated lands. In fact, abiotic and biotic stresses often prevent the achievements of optimum yields, limiting the attainance of the maximum potential of growth.

This book is focused on biotic stress of rice and its management. It covers state of art research and innovative information to improve rice crops using biotechnological techniques include: high yield potential, early maturity, resistance to lodging and shattering, resistance to stress environments, disease resistance, insect resistance, grain quality, and enhancement of nutritional components. Insect-resistant crops have revolutionized modern agriculture and have become a major tool of integrated pest management programs, leading to reduction in insecticide use while protecting the environment and human health.

This book will appeal to plant breeders, biotechnologists, plant pathologists and entomologists working in academic and commercial rice research programs, and in the libraries of research institutions.