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Welcome to the LSU AgCenter's Rice Research Station
| | | Steven D. Linscombe, resident coordinator, Rice Research Station, and regional director, Southwest Region |
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The Rice Research Station is in Acadia Parish in middle south Louisiana about 2 miles east of Crowley. It is one of 20 research stations operated by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center through its research arm, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.
The Rice Research Station, the first rice experimental station in the United States was established in 1909 by Louisiana State University. The first resident director (then called superintendent), Friend B. Quereau (1909 to 1916), was the driving force behind the station's planning, construction, equipping and staffing. Research continued under the guidance of the following directors: F. Mitchell Jenkins (1914-1946), Rufus H. Walker (1947-1958), Austin T. Harrell (1958 to 1962), H. Rouse Caffey (1962-1970), Macon D. Faulkner (1970-1984), Joe A. Musick (1985-2003). Present research is directed by Steven D. Linscombe (2002-).
Research programs were initiated to develop improved varieties and to identify cultural practices required to enhance production and maintain a viable industry. For more than 95 years, the main thrust of research efforts continues to be varietal improvement and the development of agronomic management practices that increase production and maintain profitability.
Research programs include breeding, biotechnology, variety testing, production and distribution of foundation seed, fertilization, soil and water management, cultural practices, weed control, insect control, disease investigations, rice drying, bird control in rice and physiology studies. Research is also conducted in crops grown in rotation with rice. The aquaculture emphasis is on multiple cropping of crawfish with agronomic crops.
Although most of the research work is performed by the Rice Research Station staff, several experiment station staff from Baton Rouge conduct research at this station. The research activities include both fundamental and applied research, although the latter dominates because of mission of the Rice Research Station. The programs will continue to make an important contribution to the economic development of Louisiana.
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| Posted on: 10/31/2005 1:57:58 PM |
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