Italy’s Rice Production Declines 30% with Untreated Acreage
3 January 2012 A recent CropLife Foundation study shows the impact of fungicides on the Italian rice market.
On average, Italian farmers produce 1.5 million tons of rice with a value of $ 541.4 million on 238,000 hectares. Of the 1.5 million tons of rice produced by the country’s growers each year, 75% of the acreage is treated with fungicides to prevent rice blast, according to Croplife Foundation.
The rice blast fungus is the main cause of lower yields for Italian farmers. The fungus is capable of infecting rice plants in all their stages of growth, and depending on the portion of the plant affected, the disease is also known as leaf blast, node blast, panicle blast, collar blast, and rotten neck blast.
If acreage were left untreated, rice production would decline almost 30%, according to the organization. The total annual loss for Italian farmers would be estimated at $162.7 million dollars.
Research with fungicides demonstrated rice yield increases up to 60% with control of rice blast, according to the study.
To read the complete study, visit CropLife.org.
Get The Newsletter Today!
