Due to good soils and abundant water in the region, southeast Missouri offers excellent opportunities for profitable, sustainable rice production. The vast majority of rice in Missouri is grown on soils that have been precision-graded to aid in water management. This investment in land preparation has reduced labor and irrigation costs to growers, allowing for easier management and increased profit potential. With the increasing rice acres in Missouri, the goal of the Rice Project is to research and develop rice production systems that will benefit the rice growers of southeast Missouri.

Seeding Rate Studies. The recent introduction of herbicide-tolerant and hybrid rice, seeding rates have become a point of discussion because of the increased costs associated with these seeds. Currently, hybrid rice is planted at roughly 1/3 the rate of conventional varieties. However, recent data suggest that conventional varieties can also be seeded at lower rates while maintaining adequate yield levels. We are evaluating the interaction of nitrogen fertility and seeding rates of three rice varieties to determine if seeding costs can be reduced while not sacrificing yield.

Variety Performance and Nitrogen Validation Trials. Several small-plot experiments have been initiated evaluating various components of rice production, including variety and hybrid performance and nitrogen validation trials. The rice project is constantly evaluating the latest varieties and hybrids. This year we are testing two potential CLEARFIELD* varieties, 'CL171' and 'CL151.' We are also testing various nitrogen rates and timings for the new varieties 'Cybonnet,' 'Jupiter,' 'Spring,' and 'Trenasse,' as well as the hybrids 'CLXP729,' 'CLXP730,' and 'XL723.'

Irrigation Research. We are evaluating three types of rice production practices common throughout the Bootheel to determine which provides the best profit margin as it relates to irrigation inputs. We are comparing delay-flooded drill-seeded rice, pinpoint flooded water-seeded rice, and delay-flooded water-seeded rice on precision-leveled and zero-grade fields. At the Marsh Farm located behind the Delta Center, we are also evaluating a low-pressure drip irrigation system for rice, which has shown potential water savings compared to traditional flood-irrigation techniques.

Crop Rotation and Management Research. A rice/soybean rotation is the most common practice in Mid-south rice production. Recent data suggest that soybean yields following rice may be reduced due to the previous year's rice crop. Three studies evaluating soybean varieties, tillage, and irrigation practices have been initiated in 2006 to determine how the soybean crop can be manipulated in order to produce optimum yield following rice.

The Rice Project is supported by grant dollars from the USDA-CSREES, check-off dollars from the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Board, and RiceTec, Inc. Special thanks are extended to all those who have provided financial support.

2006 Field Day Report