Abstract:
Weedy rice, a significant agricultural challenge, exhibits diverse origins and characteristics that
vary globally. This systematic review explores the genetic, ecological, and evolutionary aspects
of weedy rice, highlighting its complex relationship with cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). By
examining weedy rice populations from different regions, we uncover the multiple pathways
through which weedy rice evolves, including de-domestication, hybridization, and gene flow
from wild relatives. The findings reveal distinct morphological and physiological traits that
enable weedy rice to thrive in various environments, often outcompeting cultivated rice and
leading to substantial yield losses. Understanding these diverse origins and characteristics is
crucial for developing effective management strategies and mitigating the impact of weedy rice
on global rice production. For the systematic review and bibliometric analysis, 714 full-text
articles which have been published during the years 2000-2024 were included. The relevant
literature was extracted from the Scopus database. In the bibliometric analysis, the highest
number of publications related to weedy rice was recorded in202l, with 100 publications. Key
journals involved in publication in weedy rice with the highest number of publications include
"Weed Science" (37 documents), "Weed Technology" (27 documents), and "Crop Protection"
(19 documents). The most cited organization is the Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota
State University (364 citations) and the results indicate the contribution of U.S. universities for
the weedy rice research. Country-wise analysis shows that the United States leads with 207
documents and8276 citations, followed by China with 156 documents and 4178 citations. This
analysis provides a global perspective on weedy rice research, highlighting key trends,
influential works, and major contributors in the field. This comprehensive review provides
valuable insights into the adaptive mechanisms of weedy rice and explains the importance of integrated approaches in addressing this pervasive agricultural issue.
