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. While many of the research activities conducted by these scientists and their associates and technicians are somewhat similar from year to year, these activities are also constantly evolving to address new challenges and opportunities.

Rice variety development is a perfect example of this. Twenty-five years ago, the majority of the rice acreage planted in the state was seeded to medium-grain varieties. Just three years ago, the state was planting less than four percent of its acreage in medium grains. While the acreage in medium grains has increased in the past two years because of market dynamics, this major shift over the past 20 years has necessitated a substantial shift in emphasis on grain types within the breeding program. While medium grains are still important in the program, the major emphasis today is certainly on long-grain types.

Clearfield variety development is another case in point. In 2010 in Louisiana, over 70 percent of the rice acreage was seeded to varieties/hybrids with the Clearfield trait. While 10 years ago we were just initiating Clearfield breeding efforts, today much of our work is in this area. Specialty variety development is another case in point. The Rice Research Station has worked on specialty varieties for a number of years. However, most of the initial work was with conventional aromatic long grains, which led to the development of such varieties as Della and Dellrose. In recent years, the increasing imports of jasmine rice from Thailand into the United States have shifted much of the emphasis to this type of specialty rice, which culminated in the release of Jazzman (through the hard work of Dr. Xueyan Sha) a couple of years ago.

Another example is the recent initiation of a research effort to develop rice hybrids. This program, under the leadership of Dr. Sha and Mr. Weike Li, is a major new effort for the station, and though it will be a while before we develop a viable hybrid, we feel this program will certainly pay dividends to the Louisiana rice industry in coming years. The thought of the station initiating this type of research was not at the forefront until recent developments and advances in hybrid research showed that this is a worthwhile endeavor and sound use of our limited resources.

The Rice Station today has a major effort in marker-assisted selection, which is an important tool to assist breeders in developing new varieties more efficiently and effectively. This applied research program, under the leadership of Dr. Herry Utomo, has rapidly evolved from what was very basic research a few years ago.

Changes are constant in other areas of research. The narrow brown spot disease, which is caused by the fungus Cercospora janseana, was always considered a relatively minor disease in Louisiana rice production until the 2006 cropping season when this disease caused substantial yield and quality losses to the crop. Dr. Don Groth, rice pathologist, very quickly and effectively modified his research efforts to provide control practices for future crops. His research has shown that simple modifications in rates and timings of currently available fungicides could effectively lessen the potential for damage from this pathogen.

In recent years, two new insects and one mite have been identified that have potential to cause damage to the state’s rice crop. The two insects are the South American rice miner and the Mexican rice borer, while the mite is the panicle rice mite. While these three pests have to this point not been severely damaging, it is important that our rice entomologists – Dr. Mike Stout and Dr. Natalie Hummel – modify their research and extension programs to proactively prepare should these pests become more prevalent and damaging.

Rice weed control is a constantly evolving science as well. With the advent of Clearfield rice several years ago, we saw a major shift in weed control systems and rice production practices. We also have seen some evidence of the development of weed resistance to some of our predominant herbicides. Also, the major expansion of crawfish co-culture with rice production in south Louisiana has caused a shift in the predominant weed species in many fields. All of these factors mean that our rice weed scientists – Dr. Eric Webster and Dr. Bill Williams – must be constantly modifying their research efforts to stay ahead of these developments.

All of these scientists and their associates, technicians and graduate students are constantly updating their research and extension efforts with the ultimate goal of maintaining and advancing the viability of the Louisiana rice industry.

Permission granted August 15, 2010, by B.Leonards (LA Farm & Ranch) to republish article on www.lsuagcenter.com.