Oryza L., Rice
Rice, Oryza sativa L., is
a tropical grass that produces one of the world’s most important edible grains
second only to corn, Zea mays L., while wild rice, Zizania palustris L., is the other American native although still of minor importance since not fully domesticated. Rice was cultivated in
The green revolution introduced improved varieties and
techniques that increased yields so much that about a billion people were saved
from starvation, therefore, Norman
Ernest Borlaug (March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009) is considered either
a hero (by humanitarians) or a villain (by environmentalists), but
most people have never even heard of him. A key improvement was the introduction of dwarf
varieties that put more into growing grain than stubble as well as being less
susceptible to lodge (fall over).