Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Ratoon rice has gained attention as a sustainable strategy for maintaining rice productivity under changing climatic conditions, where rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, droughts, floods and other extreme weather events threaten crop productivity and global food security. Ratoon rice has emerged as a resource efficient and climate smart production method as it makes use of the regenerative ability of plants to generate a second harvest from stubble of the main crop. Compared to conventional rice cultivation, ratoon rice requires less labor, reduced inputs and a shorter growing period while improving land, water and nutrient use efficiency. However, the physiological responses of rice plants to changing environmental conditions are important for the success of ratoon crops. Bud regeneration, carbohydrate reserve mobilisation, hormonal regulation, photosynthetic efficiency and source sink relationship play a critical role in determining ratoon establishment and yield under climatic stress. Ratoon rice is more resilient to heat, drought, flooding and other environmental challenges when the appropriate management techniques such as optimal stubble height, balanced nutrition, effective irrigation and plant growth regulators are used. Furthermore, improving soil health through organic amendments and beneficial microbial interactions contributes to greater stress tolerance and sustainable productivity. Ratoon rice production is still limited despite its potential due to automation issues, yield instability and climate related hazards. To enhance the adaptation under shifting climatic conditions, future research should concentrate on creating climate-resilient ratoon cultivars, precision nutrient and water management technologies and decision support systems. This review summarises the physiological response of ratoon rice to climate change and highlights effective management strategies that can enhance productivity, resource use efficiency and sustainability, thereby supporting resilient rice production and long term food security.
Source: Plant Science Today
DOI: 10.14719/pst.16473
Institution: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214098380