Optimizing rice cultivation: enhancing rice growth and yield through multi-canopy systems

The decline in arable land poses a formidable challenge to global food security and sustainability. Factors such as population growth and environmental degradation contribute to the diminishing availability of agricultural land. Climate change-induced phenomena further exacerbate these challenges by altering weather patterns and affecting agricultural productivity. Consequently, there is an urgent need for sustainable land management practices, conservation efforts, and technological innovations in agriculture. The multi-canopy system, integrating mixed cultivars and vertical farming, offers a novel approach to rice cultivation. Unlike traditional mixed cultivar systems, the multi-canopy system incorporates genotypes with varying plant heights within the same clump, optimizing light utilization across different plant tiers. Our research, conducted at the experimental field of IPB University, Dramaga, Bogor, evaluated two genotypes of short plants and two tall plants as IPB University breeding lines. Understanding the morphophysiological traits of rice in multi-canopy systems is crucial for enhancing growth potential and yield optimization. This study investigates the impact of the multi-canopy system on morphophysiological characteristics and yield across different genotype combinations. Results indicate significant effects on plant height, leaf morphology, chlorophyll content, and crop growth rates. Moreover, the multi-canopy system not only enhances grain weight per clump, a critical factor for overall yield improvement but also holds the potential to address food security concerns. In conclusion, the multi-canopy system offers promising prospects for optimizing rice production and ensuring food security amidst changing agricultural landscapes. Understanding the interplay between agronomic and physiological traits is essential for maximizing productivity and addressing global food security concerns.