Ratoon rice – A climate smart rice technology

The rice ratooning is a viable option to achieve higher system productivity together with increased cropping intensity, resource use efficiency and lower production cost, irrigation water requirement and GWP. The practice of ratooning is less common due to its low grain yield and higher insect/disease incidence. However, the recent development and availability of improved cultivars with multiple resistance to several diseases and insects increase its scope of adoption in India. Future research should be focused on development of best agronomic management practice and new rice cultivars with high ratooning ability. Change in government policy is also required to ensure rapid and large scale cultivation of ratoon rice in India.