How do growers of sake-specific rice differ in their use of fertilisers compared to table rice growers?

Growers of sake-specific rice utilize less fertilizer compared to table rice growers because the cultivation of sake rice is focused on quality rather than quantity. Sake production demands rice with a higher starch content and specific characteristics that contribute to the complex flavors and aromas in the final product. To achieve this, sake rice growers often adopt more finely tuned agricultural practices, including careful management of soil health and nutrient levels, which allows them to produce rice with the desired traits while using less fertilizer. Additionally, over-fertilization can lead to rapid growth and higher protein levels, which are undesirable in sake rice as they can negatively influence the fermentation process and the overall quality of the sake. Therefore, a more restrained approach to fertilization is preferred in the pursuit of high-quality sake production.