The amount of sunlight absorbed by rice plants affects how well they grow and produce grain. In this study, researchers looked at how the amount of sunlight absorbed by the rice canopy is related to the size of the leaves and the amount of grain produced. They found that the distribution of leaves within the canopy affects how much sunlight is absorbed. The more sunlight the plants absorb, the more grain they produce, but there is an optimal point where too much sunlight can actually decrease grain production. This study helps us understand how to maximize rice yield by managing sunlight absorption in the canopy.