General Information
· Main climates: Tropical Wet, Tropical Wet and Dry at 600 m above sea, Subtropical Humid, Tropical Desert and Arid at 600 m above sea, Tropical Desert and Arid
· Total land area: 851 197 000 ha
· Internal renewable water resources: 5 190 km3
· Incoming water flow: 1 760 km3
· GNP per capita, 1998: PPP$ 6 460
· Main food consumed: Sugar & honey, Oil & fat, Rice, Wheat, Meat
· Rice supply, 1999: 60.3 kg paddy/capita/year
Basic Statistics
|
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
RICE |
|
|
|
|
Harvested area (M ha) |
4.75 |
3.94 |
4.37 |
3.67 |
Yield (kg/ha) |
1898 |
1880 |
2566 |
3041 |
Production (M t) |
9.02 |
7.42 |
11.22 |
11.16 |
Imports (T t) |
339 |
413 |
870 |
NA |
Exports (T t) |
3 |
1 |
18 |
NA |
OTHERS |
|
|
|
|
Population (M) |
135 |
147 |
159 |
NA |
Agr population (M) |
38 |
33 |
30 |
NA |
Irrigated agr area (T) |
2100 |
2700 |
2656 |
NA |
Fertilzer cons (T t) |
3197 |
3164 |
4205 |
NA |
Agr tractors in use (T units) |
666 |
720 |
790 |
NA |
Producing Zones and Cropping Seasons
The State of Rio Grande do Sul is known as the rice bowl of the country. The following table shows the harvested areas from different rice producing zones.
Production zone |
Harvested area (% total harvested area) |
Rio Grande do Sul |
22.25 |
Maranhao |
16.72 |
Mato Grosso |
11.13 |
Minas Gerais |
9.13 |
Goais |
6.90 |
Piaui |
5.68 |
Para |
4.40 |
Tocantins |
3.77 |
Sao Paulo |
3.72 |
Santa Catarina |
3.31 |
Rondonia |
2.83 |
Parana |
2.75 |
Mato Grosso do Sul |
2.49 |
Bahia |
1.50 |
Ceara |
0.99 |
Acre |
0.71 |
Espirito Santo |
0.63 |
Rio de Janeiro |
0.46 |
Alagoas |
0.20 |
Sergipe |
0.17 |
Pernambuco |
0.09 |
Distrito Federal |
0.07 |
Amazonas |
0.04 |
Paraiba |
0.03 |
Amapa |
0.01 |
The following table shows the period of main rice cropping season in different regions of the country.
Cropping season |
Planting |
Harvesting |
South, main season |
9-11 |
3-4 |
Northeast, main season |
3-5 |
8-11 |
North, main season |
11-12 |
4-6 |
Production Practices
The following figure shows the harvested areas from different ecologies during 1995-2000 period.
In the early years of "Cerrado" (Brazilian savanna) opening, rice was the most attractive pioneer crop. Upland rice was planted in rotation over years with pasture and cattle raising. The harvested area of upland rice attained its peak (4,5 million ha) in 1988/87. Thereafter, the upland rice area declined. About 300,000 ha of rainfed lowland rice are classified as favorable upland.
The major area of irrigated rice is located in Sub-tropical climate in the south, where Rio Grande do Sul accounts for 977,500 ha in the 1998/99 season. In Rio Grande do Sul, the average farm size is 200 ha, rice farming in approximately 550,000 ha is completely mechanized in which land preparation and sowing is performed in dry soil. The other systems are the minimum tillage and seeds are drilled system covering 250,000 ha and broadcasting of pre-germinated seeds to flooded field system covering 100,000 ha.
The other big rice area in the subtropical climate is Santa Catarina, with 113,900 ha in the 1998/99 season. The average farm size is 10 ha. The use of family hand labor is prevalent. Rice crops are established mostly by broadcasting of pre-germinated seeds to flooded fields.
In tropical climate, the biggest irrigation projects are located in the State of Tocantins (TO), with 65,200 ha of irrigated rice, where farmers are predominately big farmers (average property size is 100 ha) and rice cultivation is completely mechanized in which land preparation and sowing is performed in dry soil. In the Northeast region (NE), rice is also grown in irrigation projects under supervision of Federal Government organizations such as the São Francisco Valley Development Company (CODEVASF) and the National Department for Operations against Drought (DNOCS) where rice is grown in the transplanted system, in areas of approximately 4 ha with family labor. Recently, water supply to about 50,000 ha of the upland rice in Cerrado region has been provided with sprinkler irrigation or non-flooded irrigated rice.
Majority of the rice varieties planted in the lowland systems belongs to indica type. Until 1975, varieties in irrigated areas were introductions from USA or Italy. New varieties released in southern Brazil since 1980 are mostly short-stature derived from crosses made by IRRI and CIAT.
· Upland rice varieties
Variety Name |
Released period |
Growth duration (days) |
IAC 1 |
NA |
NA |
Acrefino |
1993 |
125 |
Aimoré |
2001 |
105 |
Araguaia |
1986 |
128 |
BR 4 |
1983 |
100 |
BRS Bonança |
2001 |
|
Cabaçu |
1987 |
132 |
Caiapó |
1994 |
123 |
Canastra |
1996 |
130 |
Carajás |
1994 |
114 |
Carisma |
1999 |
124 |
Centro América |
1987 |
100 |
Confiança |
1996 |
135 |
Cuiabana |
1986 |
120 |
Douradão |
1989 |
110 |
Emcapa 01 |
1984 |
110 |
Guaporé |
1988 |
115 |
Guarani |
1987 |
110 |
IAC 1246 |
- |
|
IAC 164 |
1980 |
|
IAC 165 |
1980 |
|
IAC 201 |
1992 |
115 |
IAC 202 |
1997 |
|
IAC 25 |
1974 |
95 |
IAC 47 |
1971 |
120 |
IAPAR 62 |
1993 |
95 |
IAPAR 63 |
1993 |
135 |
IAPAR 64 |
1993 |
135 |
IAPAR 9 |
1983 |
|
IRAT 112 |
1982 |
147 |
IREM 16-B |
1982 |
146 |
Maravilha |
1993 |
162 |
Mearim |
1989 |
105 |
Primavera |
1997 |
105 |
Progresso |
1993 |
135 |
Progresso |
1994 |
|
Rio Doce |
1991 |
|
Rio Paraguai |
1992 |
117 |
Rio Paranaíba |
1986 |
130 |
Rio Verde |
1992 |
120 |
Tangará |
1988 |
100 |
Triunfo |
1991 |
|
Uruçui |
1994 |
100 |
Xingu |
1989 |
115 |
TANGARA |
1985-89 |
NA |
ARAGUIA |
NA |
|
CIAT 20-PROGRASSO |
1990-94 |
NA |
· Irrigated rice varieties
Variety Name |
Released period |
Growth duration (days) |
Ajuricaba |
1986 |
150 |
Aliança |
1990 |
145 |
BR 1 |
1978 |
|
BR 2 |
1978 |
|
BR 3 Caeté |
1985 |
|
BR/MS -1 |
1989 |
95 |
BR/MS-2 |
1989 |
120 |
BR-Caeté |
1984 |
130 |
BR-IPA |
1990 |
|
BR-IPA 101 |
1994 |
|
BR-IRGA 408 |
1975 |
|
BR-IRGA 409 |
1978 |
|
BR-IRGA 410 |
1978 |
|
BR-IRGA 411 |
1985 |
165 |
BR-IRGA 412 |
1986 |
135 |
BR-IRGA 413 |
1986 |
155 |
BR-IRGA 414 |
1987 |
145 |
BR-IRGA 415 |
1989 |
150 |
BRS Biguá |
2001 |
125 |
BRS Jaburu |
2001 |
125 |
BRS Pelota |
2001 |
125 |
Capivari |
1994 |
162 |
Cica 7 |
1971 |
132 |
Cica 8 |
1972 |
141 |
Curumin |
1987 |
|
Diamante |
1996 |
130 |
EEA-404 |
- |
|
EEA-406 |
- |
|
El Paso 144 |
1993 |
|
Embrapa 130 |
1997 |
|
Embrapa 38 |
1995 |
100 |
Embrapa 39 |
1995 |
155 |
Embrapa 6-Chui |
1991 |
140 |
Embrapa 7-Taim |
1991 |
160 |
Emcapa 104 |
1996 |
135 |
Empasc 100 |
1980 |
|
Empasc 101 |
1980 |
|
Empasc 102 |
1980 |
|
Empasc 103 |
1983 |
|
Empasc 104 |
1985 |
|
Empasc 105 |
1986 |
|
Epagri 106 |
1992 |
105 |
Epagri 107 |
1994 |
125 |
Epagri 108 |
1995 |
135 |
Epagri 109 |
- |
135 |
EPEAL -101 |
1986 |
135 |
EPEAL -102 |
1986 |
135 |
Formoso |
2000 |
125 |
Franciscano |
1988 |
170 |
IAC 100 |
1991 |
145 |
IAC 101 |
1991 |
145 |
IAC 120 |
1965 |
|
IAC 1278 |
1982 |
|
IAC 238 |
1988 |
165 |
IAC 242 |
1988 |
165 |
IAC 435 |
- |
|
IAC 4440 |
1982 |
|
IAPAR 58 |
1993 |
140 |
IR 22 |
1970 |
|
IR665 |
1976 |
125 |
IR841 |
1974 |
|
IRGA 407 |
1971 |
|
IRGA 416 |
1990 |
|
IRGA 417 |
1995 |
|
Javaé |
1993 |
110 |
Jequitibá |
1997 |
120 |
Metica 1 |
1986 |
130 |
MG1 |
1985 |
135 |
MG2 |
1985 |
135 |
Mucuri |
1995 |
160 |
Pericumã |
1989 |
|
Pesagro 101 |
1983 |
165 |
Pesagro 102 |
1983 |
140 |
Pesagro 103 |
1983 |
160 |
Pesagro 104 |
1986 |
|
Pesagro 105 |
1986 |
|
Pesagro 106 |
1994 |
140 |
Pesagro 107 |
1994 |
140 |
Rio Formoso |
1997 |
125 |
Rio Grande |
1999 |
140 |
Samburá |
1995 |
165 |
São Francisco |
1996 |
130 |
Sapucaí |
1994 |
160 |
SCS-111 |
2000 |
120 |
SCS-112 |
2000 |
135 |
Urucuia |
1994 |
153 |
BLUEBELLE |
NA |
105 |
BR IRGA 409 |
1975-79 |
130 |
BR IRGA 410 |
1975-79 |
130 |
BR IRGA 411 |
1985-89 |
|
BR IRGA 412 |
1985-89 |
130 |
BR IRGA 413 |
1985-89 |
|
BR IRGA 414 |
1985-89 |
110 |
BR IRGA 415 |
1985-89 |
|
CICA 9 |
|
NA |
DIAMANTE-BRA |
1990-94 |
NA |
EMPASC 101 |
1980-84 |
NA |
TAIM |
NA |
130 |
Farmers generally applied fertilizers, herbicides and insecticide. The following table shows the responses of rice to fertilizer application.
Other information |
Test range (kg/ha) |
Control rate (kg/ha) |
Control yield (t/ha) |
Rate at Maximum yield (kg/ha) |
Maximum yield (t/ha) |
Nitrogen (N), Irrigated Rice |
|||||
Reported in 65, Arraio Grande, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.4 |
30 |
4.99 |
Reported in 65, Camaqua, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.24 |
0 |
3.24 |
Reported in 65, Jaquaro, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.72 |
30 |
4.01 |
Reported in 65, Pelotas, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.26 |
30 |
4.34 |
Reported in 65, Rio Grande, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.88 |
60 |
5.33 |
Reported in 65, Santa Vite, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
5.02 |
0 |
5.02 |
Reported in 65, Sao Laurenco, with 45 P + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.11 |
60 |
3.53 |
Phosphorus (P2O5), Irrigated Rice |
|||||
Reported in 65, Pelotas, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.58 |
60 |
4.57 |
Reported in 65, Rio Grande, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4 |
30 |
5.79 |
Reported in 65, Camaqua, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
2.87 |
30 |
3 |
Reported in 65, Sao Laurenco, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.25 |
60 |
3.41 |
Reported in 65, Arraio Grande, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.22 |
0 |
4.22 |
Reported in 65, Jaquaro, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.04 |
0 |
4.04 |
Reported in 65, Santa Vite, with 45 N + 45 K kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.4 |
30 |
5.7 |
Phosphorus (P2O5), Upland Rice |
|||||
Reported in 77-78, central Brazil, Cerrado soil, |
0-66 |
0 |
1.1 |
66 |
4.8 |
Reported in 78-79, central Brazil, Cerrado soil |
0-66 |
0 |
1.9 |
44 |
4.5 |
Potassium (K2O), Irrigated Rice |
|
|
|
|
|
Reported in 65, Pelotas, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.33 |
0 |
4.33 |
Reported in 65, Rio Grande, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
5.33 |
60 |
5.68 |
Reported in 65, Camaqua, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.13 |
0 |
3.13 |
Reported in 65, Sao Laurenco, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.5 |
60 |
3.82 |
Reported in 65, Arraio Grande, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.64 |
60 |
4.72 |
Reported in 65, Jaquaro, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
3.47 |
30 |
3.87 |
Reported in 65, Santa Vite, with 45 N + 45 P kg/ha |
0-60 |
0 |
4.73 |
30 |
5.21 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Palmital, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, first crop |
0-168 |
0 |
4.2 |
126 |
4.8 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Palmital, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, second crop |
0-168 |
0 |
5.3 |
84 |
5.9 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Palmital, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, thirdh crop |
0-100 |
0 |
5.8 |
50 |
6.1 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Palmital, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, fourth crop |
0-100 |
0 |
5.9 |
75 |
6.8 |
Potassium (K2O), Upland Rice |
|||||
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Capivara, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, first crop |
0-168 |
0 |
1.3 |
126 |
1.66 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Capivara, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, second crop |
0-168 |
0 |
1.3 |
126 |
1.5 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Capivara, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, third crop |
0-168 |
0 |
0.6 |
0 |
0.6 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Capivara, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, fourth crop |
0-100 |
0 |
0.9 |
50 |
1.2 |
Report in 1990, Experimental farm of National Rice and Bean Research Center at Capivara, Goiania, treated with N, P, Lime and Zn; average of 3 varieties, fifth crop |
0-100 |
0 |
2.1 |
75 |
2.4 |
Constraints and Issues of Sustainable Production
Drought stresses caused by unreliable rainfall, aluminium toxicity and soil fertility losses in dominant upland systems.
Blast in all ecologies.
Togasodes oryzicolus, Rice Hoja Blanca Virus in tropical region.
Weed and Red rice competition.
Low temperature during early and/or reproductive phases in Grando do Sul in the south.
Yield potentials of irrigated rice varieties have reached a plateau.
Land tenancy problem in Rio Grande do Sul.
Red rice, Echinochloa, Cyperus and Aeschyinomene in Rio Grande do Sul and Cyperus and Sagitaria in Santa Catarina.
Iron toxicity in rainfed lowland areas in Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo and in Northern region.
High production cost.
The following table shows the rice production costs.
Other information |
Yield (t/ha) |
Cost ($/ha) |
Cost ($/t) |
Santa Carina, irrigated, 1983-84 |
4.5 |
567 |
126 |
Grande do Sul, irrigated, 1984-85 |
4.3 |
925 |
215 |
Rio De Janiero, upland, 1983-84 |
1.43 |
280 |
195 |
Irrigated, 1988-89 |
4.84 |
407 |
84 |
Sustainable rice production requires the introduction of integrated crop management systems aimed at increasing the efficiency of rice production and cost reduction.
Research and Development Institutes
· EMBRAPA Servico de Producao de Sementes Basicas, Rua Felipe Schmidt, 31, S/501, 88000 Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Phone: (0482) 231155, Telex: 48-2324
· Arrozeira Sepeense, C.P. 26, Av. Afonso G. de Faria, 49, 97340 Sao Sepe, Rio Grande do Sul, Phone: (055) 233-1408, Fax: (055) 233-1358
· EMBRAPA/CNPAF, Caixa Postal 179, Goiás, Brazil
· Instituto Agronomico de Campinas, Secao de Plantas Tropicales, C.P. 28,
· Delegaciu Federal da Agricultura, Av. Dr. A Molina, 78150 Varzea Grande, Mato Grosso,
· Secretaria Estadual da Agricultura, Rua Jeronimo Coelho 14, 10 andar, 88000 Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Phone: (0482) 222177,
· Secretaria Estadual da Agricultura, C.P. 960, Av. Brasil No. 2340, 13100 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Phone: (0192) 413900,
· Instituto Riograndense do Arroz, C.P. 29, Av. Bonifacio Carvalho Bernardes, 1494, 94930-030 Cachoeirinha, Rio Grande do Sul
· Secretaria Estadual de Agricultura, Av. Julio de Castilhoa 585, 90000 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul,
· Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijao, C.P. 179, Rodovia Gyn 12 - Km.10, 74001 Goiania 970, Goias, Phone: (062) 261-3022, Telex: 62-2241 XPGN BR, Fax: (062) 261-3880
· EMBRAPA Servico de Producao de Sementes Basicas, Av. Parnamirim, 430, 50000 Recife, Pernambuco, Phone: (081) 268-6929, Telex: 81-1440,
· EMBRAPA Servico de Producao de Sementes Basicas, Av. Anchieta, 173 - Conj.41, 13100 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Phone: (0192) 321955, Telex: 19-1066
· Granjas Irmao SA Agropecuaria, C.P. 69, Prof. Dr. Araujo, 1653, 96020-360 Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Phone: (053) 225-2122, Fax: (053) 222-5374
· Agropecuaria Garupa SA, C.P. 191, Rua Joao Manuel, 2592, 97510-240 Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Phone: (055) 412-3688,
· Arrozeira sul Parceria Agropecuaria, Av. Julio de Castilhos, 625, 96760 Tapes, Rio Grande do Sul, Phone: (051) 672-1276, Fax: (051) 672-1623
· EMBRAPA, Centro Nacional Recursos Geneticos, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, C.P. 10 2372, S.A.I.N., Parque Rural, 70770 Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Phone: (061) 273-010 Telex: 61-1622, Fax: (061) 274-3212