The 1980 Cool Weather Damage of Rice in the Republic of Korea and Proposal of Research Projects for Countermeasures

Abstract

Rice crop was severely damaged in the Republic of Korea by the cool weather of 1980, as was the case in Japan. The total production was estimated to be 3.55 million tons, resulting in only 65% of the normal production. Most severe damages occurred in mountainous areas and eastern coastal regions due to cold winds from the Sea of Japan. The middle and southern plains, however, registered only light damages (Fig. 2).The adverse weather of low temperatures and small hours of sunshine in the summer (Fig. 1) was the principal factor, but inadequate cultural practices increased damages to rice crop. Most factors of the damages were similar in both Korean and Japanese cases. Only the varietal factor made the most significant contrast between the two countries. Koreans grow hybrid varieties of Indica and Japonica types, which are of high yield and disease resistant, but vulnerable to cool weather damages.A review is presented on the Korean rice farming with special reference to these new varieties. The extreme damage in 1980 could be a consequence of the extensive planting of new varieties in undesirable areas. For countermeasures, some agrometeorological research projects are proposed for the firm development of the Korean rice farming.