Biological pest control: Biological control is a method of controlling pests, diseases and weeds in agriculture that relies on natural predation, parasitism or other natural mechanisms that restrain the development of pathogenic organisms. (FAO and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. 2021. Indigenous Peoples’ food systems: Insights on sustainability and resilience from the front line of climate change. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5131en)
The period from the end of active tillering to the beginning of the reproductive phase. Tiller number decreases; height and stem diameter continue to increase but at a slower rate. (Moldenhauer, K., Wilson Jr., C. E., Counce, P., & Hardke, J. 2013. Rice Growth and Development. In J. T. Hadrke (Ed.), Arkansas Rice Production Handbook (pp. 9-20). Little Rock: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service MP192. https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/mp192/chapter-2-word.pdf)
The first sign that the rice plant is getting ready to enter its reproductive phase is a bulging of the leaf stem that conceals the developing panicle, called the 'booting' stage. ... Rice is said to be at the 'heading' stage when the panicle is fully visible. Flowering begins a day after heading has completed. (ricepedia.org/rice-as-a-plant/growth-phases)