Weedy rice facts for kids

Weedy rice, also known as red rice, is a type of rice that grows wild in rice fields. It's considered a pest because it doesn't produce as much rice as the rice farmers want to grow. Weedy rice looks a lot like regular rice, which makes it hard for farmers to spot and remove.

What is Weedy Rice?

Weedy rice is a kind of rice plant that grows where it's not wanted. It's called "weedy" because it acts like a weed, competing with the good rice plants that farmers are trying to grow. These wild rice plants often have weak stems. They drop their seeds before farmers can harvest them. This means they spread easily and can take over a field quickly.

Why is it Called Red Rice?

Many types of weedy rice have grains with a reddish outer layer. This outer layer is called a pericarp. Because of this, people often call it "red rice." However, not all weedy rice is red. Also, some types of regular rice that farmers grow can also be red. So, "weedy rice" is a more accurate name for these wild plants.

Where Does Weedy Rice Grow?

Weedy rice is a big problem in many places where rice is grown around the world. It became a much bigger issue in the mid-1980s. This happened especially in Europe. It also spread when farmers started planting rice seeds directly into the fields. Before, they used to plant small rice plants that were already growing.

Today, weedy rice can be found in many rice fields:

• 40% to 75% of fields in Europe
• 40% of fields in Brazil
• 55% in Senegal
• 80% in Cuba
• 60% in Costa Rica

Why is Weedy Rice a Problem?

Weedy rice and the rice farmers grow are very similar. This makes it hard to get rid of weedy rice. Most chemicals that kill weeds, called herbicides, would also kill the good rice plants.

Scientists have tried to create a special type of rice. This rice is genetically modified. It means its genes have been changed. This special rice can survive a certain herbicide. However, this modified rice has not been fully approved for people to eat. Even so, it has sometimes appeared in the rice market.

How Do Farmers Deal with Weedy Rice?

Farmers use different ways to fight weedy rice. One method is to plant red rice one year. The next year, they plant a green rice in the same field. They keep switching colors each year. When the plants grow, they pull out any rice plants that are the wrong color for that year. This helps to control the weedy rice.