Aerobic rice-mitigating water stress for the future climate change

Aerobic rice is a production system where rice is grown in well-drained, non-puddled, and non-saturated soils. Water savings from land preparation, no transplanting costs, seed costs and labor costs from sowing to harvest varied from 520 to 650 mm, compared with 1200-1300mm in lowland rice. The aerobic rice cultivar must have better yield performance of low land condition and better drought performance of upland condition with desired root traits. Physiological attributes like soluble protein, chlorophyll content, fluorescence, relative water content, osmotic adjustment, scavenging enzymes play a major role in aerobic rice. Nematode and weed infestation are the major problem for yield decline due to changes in soil nutrient level and growth inhibition by toxic substances from root residues are key point for poor yield of continuous aerobic cultivation. Aerobic rice saved 73% of irrigation water for land preparation and 56% during the crop growth period. Aerobic rice with micro irrigation practices leads sustainable rice production methodology for immediate future to address water scarcity with more benefits and environmental safety in the scenario of global warming by reduced methane emission is an added advantage.