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Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

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The UNITED STATES, occupying <strong>the</strong> centr<strong>al</strong> part of North America, faces both <strong>the</strong> Atlantic<br />

and Pacific Oceans. Its 50 states have an area of 9.6 million km 2 . The population in 1999 was<br />

276.2 million. The country has a wide range of climates; <strong>the</strong> terrain varies from huge plains to<br />

river v<strong>al</strong>leys and mountain ranges. Arable land is 19% of <strong>the</strong> tot<strong>al</strong>. Agriculture is a minor<br />

sector, only 2% of <strong>the</strong> GDP and employing 2.8% of <strong>the</strong> work<strong>for</strong>ce.<br />

Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 34,100<br />

• Intern<strong>al</strong> renewable water re<strong>source</strong>s: 2,478<br />

km 3<br />

• Main food consumed: oil and fat, sugar and<br />

honey, wheat, meat, milk<br />

• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 9 kg milled rice<br />

per person per year<br />

Production season<br />

Planting Harvesting<br />

Main season, Gulf Apr-Jun Aug-Oct<br />

Main season, C<strong>al</strong>i<strong>for</strong>nia Apr-Jun Sep-Nov<br />

Production constraints<br />

<strong>Rice</strong> yield has increased steadily during <strong>the</strong> last<br />

five years. The following are <strong>the</strong> major<br />

constraints to sustainable rice production in <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S.:<br />

• High production costs<br />

• Low temperature during <strong>the</strong> early and<br />

reproductive stages<br />

• Blast, stem rot, rice water weevils<br />

• Weed and red rice comp<strong>et</strong>ition<br />

• Yield potenti<strong>al</strong> of current vari<strong>et</strong>ies has<br />

reached a plateau<br />

• Increasing pressure from legislation because<br />

of government concern <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> environment,<br />

especi<strong>al</strong>ly <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> burning of rice straw<br />

230 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac

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