2009 Rice Research Highlights
The Mississippi Rice Promotion Board is made of a group of 12 individuals appointed by the Governor of Mississippi to oversee the expenditure of funds generated by the state check-off program. In 2009, approximately $600,000 was granted to scientists to conduct research projects related to the disciplines of agronomy, breeding and genetics, pest management, soil fertility and water conservation. In addition, an educational program conducted by Extension Rice Specialist Nathan Buehring was funded. A culmination of several research studies, the Rice Improvement through Technology and Education (RITE) program demonstrates new discoveries on Mississippi’s commercial rice farms.
The 2009 edition of Research Highlights features many of the research projects conducted throughout the growing season. We hope that you will find this information beneficial to your individual farming operation. Please notify a promotion board member or contact one of the many scientists who are highlighted in this report if you have challenges on your farm that can be addressed through the research and extension efforts funded by your check-off dollars.
Mississippi Rice Variety Trials, 2009. In 2009, approximately 240,000 acres of rice were planted in the Delta counties of Mississippi. This represented a 4% increase in planted acreage from 2008. Clearfield rice varieties CL151 and CL131 occupied the majority of the planted acreage at approximately 65%. The remaining acreage was planted to Cocodrie, Cheniere, Bowman, and Sabine. Hybrid rice which is provided exclusively by RiceTec and Bayer was planted on less than 10% of the Mississippi rice acres.
Every year provides a different mix of challenges for rice producers and 2009 was no exception. Two weeks of excessive rainfall at the first of May delayed planting approximately 25% of the total state acres until after May 15th. Rice was also replanted on a portion of the acres due to the rainfall. In June, temperatures were above normal which contributed to some kernel blanking on the earliest planted rice. September and October have been some of the wettest on record. Problems associated with lodging have been exacerbated with the wet harvest conditions, especially seed sprouting. CL151 was planted for the first time in 2009 on a large acreage. Though there was information that suggested it was susceptible to lodging, it has exceeded most expectations in that regard. Current USDA yield prediction for Mississippi is 6800 lb/A (151 bushels per acre) which is similar to last year and the 5 year average. As mentioned earlier, the extreme weather patterns throughout the growing season have significantly impacted this year’s crop.
Insecticide Seed Treatments by Jeff Gore and Don Cook
Mississippi Rice Production by Nathan W. Buehring
Mississippi Rice Research Wrap-Up, 2009 by Timothy W. Walker
September, 2008 - The Mississippi's Rice Grower's Guide provides an overview of Mississippi rice production practices. This publication includes the most recent research findings from Mississippi State University and other rice-growing states. The Mississippi Rice Promotion Board funded much of this information through grower check-off funds.
