Numerous diseases can infect rice plants. While some are typically considered major, others are normally of only minor consequence. Sheath blight is one of the diseases classified in the major category.

The 2011 Rice Research Station Field Day was held on Thursday, June 30, at the research facility near Crowley. Each year the field day includes a tour of various research sites around the station where scientists display their research efforts and discuss results that will be of benefit to rice producers and others that work in rice production agriculture.

How things have changed, and most of these changes have occurred in the past 20 years. Early on, people began to hear the word personal computer more frequently. We had no idea the possibilities this device would someday provide.

While all agronomic crops require meticulous management, rice is considerably more complex. Much of this complexity is due to the fact that rice is grown under flooded conditions for most of the growing season.

Plant breeders face a tremendous challenge in breeding varieties that will be successful for production.

The industry uses the names to designate varieties throughout the time they are produced and often well beyond their commercial production. The variety name is important because multiple facets of the seed industry are based on the name.

The LSU AgCenter has recently approved the release of three new varieties for seed and commercial production in 2011. The three include a new jasmine type, a Clearfield long grain and a non-Clearfield medium grain.

The 2010 Louisiana rice crop was one of contrast in weather and, ultimately, in yields. The seeding of rice in southwest Louisiana begins in early March, and this early rice encountered very cool conditions.

LSU AgCenter scientists conduct research in many different disciplines in an ongoing effort to develop new technology to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the Louisiana rice industry.

Several growth stages help identify critical periods during the life cycle of the rice crop. They are generally separated into stages primarily associated either with vegetative or reproductive development.