Rice is an economically important crop in the USA and Brazil, whereas it is a staple food in parts of Central and South Americas. Rice production practices vary greatly across the region due in part to different agroclimatic conditions. The majority of rice grown in the USA is irrigated, while rainfed rice is common in South America. Nevertheless, irrigation water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. Rice breeding programs in the Americas have been actively developing varieties with improved agronomic, yield, and quality characteristics. Several advancements have been made in soil-test-based fertilization and nutrient management. Pest management is a constant challenge faced by rice growers annually, causing enormous losses in yield and quality. Weeds such as Echinochloa spp. and Oryza sativa, diseases such as Magnaporthe oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani, and insects such as Oryzophagus spp. and Oebalus spp. are the most economically important pests infesting rice fields in the Americas. Herbicide resistance in weeds and off-target movement of pesticides are emerging concerns in rice production throughout the Americas. New herbicide-resistant rice technologies such as Provisia rice are in the pipeline. However, adoption of sound stewardship practices is required to preserve the longevity of this and other novel technologies. Rice production will remain an important activity in the Americas, but continued research and development efforts are vital to sustain yields under changing climatic conditions.
