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. The first stop showcased rice variety development efforts. Here Xueyan Sha discussed the newly released Jazzman-2 variety being grown in Louisiana for the first time this year. This is a semidwarf, early-maturing, Jasmine-type long-grain variety with good agronomics, excellent milling and very strong aroma. Another promising line is LA-2140, a semidwarf and greatly improved Della-type line with outstanding yield potential, excellent milling, very strong aroma and a very slender and translucent grain appearance. This line is being grown to produce foundation seed in anticipation of potential release in 2012. Steve Linscombe displayed LA-2048, which is a semidwarf, early-maturing, high-yielding, good quality conventional long grain. This line is also being grown to produce foundation seed for possible release in 2012.

At the rice disease control stop, Don Groth discussed his efforts to incorporate higher levels of disease resistance into future rice varieties. The major rice diseases in Louisiana and the ones to which Don devotes the most research emphasis are bacterial panicle blight, sheath blight, Cercospora and blast; the latter three are caused by fungal organisms. He explained that more than 15,000 breeding rows are being screened for multiple diseases by his program this year. Also, Clayton Hollier discussed his research effort to develop a predictive system for the development and management of the major rice disease Cercospora. This research is looking at a number of factors that relate to this disease, including the effects of environmental conditions on development of this disease and the most effective fungicide management to manage the disease, as well as evaluation of varieties to develop better information on relative resistance and susceptibility.

The rice insect control stop featured Mike Stout discussing his multi-faceted research program. Major areas discussed included reducing the impact of weevil management on crawfish production, alternative management practices for rice water weevil management and investigating the effect of seeding rate on insecticide efficacy. He also discussed his research on the rice stink bug, as well as on stem-boring insects that can cause damage in Louisiana rice production. At this stop, Natalie Hummel discussed her rice extension entomology work. Natalie has a statewide rice water weevil demonstration program that evaluates available rice water weevil control insecticides in farmers’ fields throughout the rice growing regions of the state. The rice water weevil is the most injurious insect pest in Louisiana rice production. Yield losses in excess of 15 percent can occur from severe infestations. This year she is comparing the three seed treatments (CruiserMaxx, Dermacor X-100 and NipsitInside) with an untreated check at seven locations. Natalie also discussed her technology transfer efforts, which include the development of an online rice insect identification guide and the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter to deliver information instantaneously, as well as her work to develop mobile apps for smart phones and other digital devices.

At the rice weed control stop, Eric Webster reviewed a number of his research efforts, including the use of ammonium sulfate in spray solution to buffer high water pH and improve herbicide effectiveness. He also discussed his work on evaluating NewPath and propanil formulations. This work has shown that the addition of propanil with NewPath at proper rates and timings can greatly improve weed control and, more importantly, improve net returns when compared with the use of NewPath alone. Jason Bond (weed research scientist with Mississippi State University) discussed his work on herbicide timing for the most effective control of barnyardgrass in rice. This work is essential because more cases of barnyardgrass resistance to current herbicides have been confirmed. His research has shown that a post-emergence herbicide application should always include premixes or tank-mixtures containing different modes of action to reduce the selection pressure on the limited chemistries available in rice that are active against barnyardgrass.

The final field tour stop featured Dustin Harrell discussing his work in rice agronomy and fertilization. Dustin discussed applying the 4R nutrient stewardship concept to promote sustainable rice production. The 4Rs include the Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place. He discussed in detail how each of the factors is critical in the most effective and economical application of fertilizer in rice production. He also discussed how nitrogen is the most critical fertilizer element as related to the 4Rs.

The 2011 field day was the continuation of a tradition of excellent information provided to participants. If you would like to sign up for the Rice Research Station electronic newsletter, please contact Steve Linscombe slinscombe@agcenter.lsu.edu . Also, the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station is now on Facebook.

Permission granted July 21, 2011, by B Leonards (LA Farm & Ranch) to republish article on www.lsuagcenter.com.