This entry is submitted by Gloria Gamat, via Creative Reporter.

For almost three years now, (in my current research work) I have been growing rice hydroponically (in culture (nutrient) solution, without soil) usually under stressed conditions (some elements, usually P and Zn are deficient); but only for varietal screening and physiological measurements; so that we don�t grow the plants more than 30 or 60 days. Rice usually takes 90-120 days to harvest in field conditions.

The news below came as a pleasant surprise to the rice-eating world:

In a heavily fortified, air-tight bank vault deep below the financial district of Tokyo a small agricultural revolution has taken place: a group of farmers has cultivated the world�s first crop of hydroponically grown rice.
The 60kg (132lb) of Koshihikari rice reaped yesterday may fill only a single regulation-sized sack, but its significance is huge: the rice has grown to maturity without natural light or a paddy field.
If the same process were done on a commercial scale, its creators say, Japanese farmers could reap four harvests every year rather than one, and not be affected by seasonal weather patterns that have become more and more extreme.

The Times Online article did not mention though how cost-effective the whole process was. Considering the huge amount of the culture (nutrient) solution that will be consumed until plant maturity and harvest; chemicals don�t come cheap.

About Gloria Gamat: Gloria is a proud single-mom to Raine (Rainier Brando: born 29 December 2002) and a chemist. Gloria also blogs about motherhood at EMothersOnline and about life and travel in the Philippines at The Philippine Culture Blog and at Pinoy Travel Blog respectively.

Photo Credit: IRRI Bulletin