Rice

Thermal stress

Other

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In a Nutshell

White, withered flower clusters.
Rice leaves curling and appearing scorched.
Fewer and smaller tillers (stalks).
Empty panicles with no rice grains.

Can also be found in

1 Crops

Rice

Symptoms

Symptoms of Thermal stress on rice can vary according to the stage rice is in. Early on, it can lead to dead seedlings, and fewer tillers (rice stalks). The leaves might start to curl up and look burnt. During the flowering stage, the clusters may turn white and appear shrivelled, indicating weak pollen. When the rice grains are forming, the heat can cause incomplete development. The main result is that heat stress lowers both the amount and quality of the rice harvested.

Recommendations

Organic Control

This issue is neither a pest nor a disease; therefore, organic control is not required or relevant.

Chemical Control

This issue is neither a pest nor a disease; therefore, chemical control is not required or relevant.

What caused it?

This type of stress happens when temperatures go beyond what the crop needs to grow, develop, and reproduce properly. While both day and night temperatures can cause heat stress, the effects are worse at night than during the day. Climate change is seen as the main cause of this issue becoming more common now. It's important to remember that both too much heat and not enough water can cause this problem.

Preventive Measures

Choose rice varieties that mature quickly or plant your rice later in the season to avoid heat waves during the critical reproductive stage.
Fast-maturing rice gets through its sensitive phase before the hottest summer months, while planting later means the reproductive period happens after the peak heat, protecting the crop from extreme temperatures.
Maintain suitable tillage practices to improve soil structure, which can help roots access water and nutrients more effectively.
Water your plant especially during heatwaves.
Split the total amount of nitrogen you use into smaller doses.
When you divide your nitrogen application, apply some of it as a slow-releasing top dressing to ensure gradual release into the soil.
Till your soil deeply to help mix the soil layers and improve its structure.
Incorporate organic materials into your soil to enhance its quality.
These steps create better growing conditions that help your plants resist heat stress.