Let’s talk hybrids

At the opening of the 106th annual Rice Field Day at the Rice Research Station, there were droves of farmers and industry personnel on hand to learn all they could about the latest advances in rice from researchers and commissioners, professors and more.
And they kept coming as even the weather cooperated for the field tours this year.
On those field tours, interested parties were given an overview of the rice research being done at the facility — as well as other rice research stations here, in other states and even other countries.
The field tour saw:
• Dr. Eric Webster and graduate student Ben McKnight talk about weed management;
• Drs. Steve Linscombe and Adam Famoso discuss rice breeding;
• Drs. Clayton Hollier and Jong Hyun Ham talk about pathology;
• entomology discussed by Dr. Michael Stout and graduate student Lina Bernoala;
• Drs. James Oard and Herry Utomo speak on rice hybrid and genetics; and
• Dr. Dustin L. Harrell along with Dr. Jarrod Hardke of the University of Arkansas’ Rice Research and Extension Center speak on agronomy.
And, while all had specific studies and advances to discuss, the Provisia system appears to have many at the research station the most excited from the past year’s advances.
As explained by Webster, the research station has been working on, testing and developing not only a herbicide for weed management under the system, but an actual rice strain of the same name that has seen some good progress with the herbicide’s usage. However, the herbicide, according to Webster, is merely a tool — a part of the puzzle — and the research station is continuing to look at what other items it can be mixed with to produce good results.
When the trucks rolled to their next station — rice breeding — Linscombe also brought up Provisia and how a best case scenario could see one or two strains of the rice netting good enough results to become potential market rice by the end of this growing season.
Not surprisingly, Oard also discussed Provisia during his stop with rice hybrids, adding that the station seems to believe that the technology in the Provisia system will compliment the technology being used and furthered with Clearfield rice.
The stops were not all about Provisia, however, as those that spend their time studying agronomy, pathology and entomology had different information to share with attendees.
Hollier (rice disease control) spent his time pointing to the importance of making decisions based on what the grower sees in his or her fields, stressing the importance of basing those decisions on actually getting out into the field and scouting the area and the crop.
Stout (entomology) talked a bit about the rice water weevil, the rice stink bug and stem-boring insect research that is ongoing before turning the microphone over to Bernoala.
It was perhaps her study of the adverse effects of mycorrhizae that seemed to grab attention. Bernaola is conducting a study of rice plants inoculated with the fungus. So far, the inoculation has resulted in larger populations of rice water weevils. With two working hypotheses so far, Bernaola is trying to unravel the mystery.
The final stop was perhaps the most timely considering how rainy the weather has been, hampering many operations in the land of rice growing including nitrogenous fertilization. Ironically, just as storm clouds were moving into the area, Harrell and Hardke were discussing best practices for a rice field that will not dry.
The researchis funded by money provided by the Louisiana Rice Research Board. All speakers Wednesday expressed their gratitude to the growers for their input and their funds that have helped so much and continue to do so.
Meanwhile, back at the station, a poster session provided more information into research as well as technologies available to rice growers.
A speaker program began at 10:45 a.m. featuring Vice Chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board Clarence Berken speaking about the board’s activities; Endowed Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Michael Salassi speaking on the farm bill and rice market update; USA Rice Federation COO Bob Cummings talking about global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry and remarks from Commissioner Mike Strain and Drs. William B. Richardson and Rogers Leonard.
A luncheon was held following the program.