Worldwide rice production has increased every year during the
last five years reaching 685 million tons in 2009 (FAO, 2010). Rice is
a staple food in numerous countries around the globe serving daily
as a source of carbohydrate, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals
(Walter et al., 2008). Therefore, rice production should maintain its
trend in order to support the constantly growing consumption
demand (Bennett, 2008).