California’s public rice breeding program involves researchers at the Rice Experiment Station and with the University of California. The program has released 42 improved public rice varieties since 1969. Advanced experimentals are in the breeding pipeline that in coming years will provide growers with even more choices for evolving market and production conditions. Major personnel changes in the breeding program include the addition of two new rice breeders, and the retirement of long-time Calrose medium-grain breeder Carl Johnson. Read about progress in each of the four project areas in more detail in the Rice Breeding Program section of this annual report.

Testing of promising experimentals typically takes place at 16 farm locations, as well as at the Rice Experiment Station. In contrast to recent years, 2007 was a more “normal” season without significant wet spring weather. Statewide plantings totaled 533,000 harvested acres with improved average yields of 8,220 pounds/acre. Several advanced lines produced high yields and showed other improvements. A long-term stand establishment study continued for its fourth year. This work is described in the Variety Trials section.

Rice variety improvement combines molecular genetics with conventional plant breeding methods. Molecular markers are an important method of identifying sources of disease resistance, cold tolerance and enhanced grain quality. Read about this research in Molecular Marker-Assisted Rice Improvement.

Early-season water management strategies are changing to improve weed control, a shift with consequences for soil fertility and fertilizer use. This research shows that growers using alternative stand establishment systems need to optimize drain periods to minimize nitrogen loss yet ensure effective weed control. Read about this important work in Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use.

Another soil-related study new in 2007 is examining methods for improving salt tolerance in rice with an innovative fungal technique. Read about field and greenhouse experiments on this promising project in Salt Tolerance and Yield Enhancement.

Weed control research continues to examine new and existing herbicides, as well as combinations and sequential applications. Alternative stand establishment methods are being investigated to help manipulate weed populations and cope with herbicide resistance. Scientists and growers are keeping an eye out for red rice, a potentially serious new problem, found in a few sites in recent years. Read about these and other developments in Weed Control in Rice.

Studies of filamentous algae in California rice fields in 2007 focused on copper, zinc, a number of herbicides, and phosphorous management. Research shows that incorporating phosphorous is the best strategy so far to reduce levels of Nostoc, the blue-green algae increasingly present in California rice fields. Read about this research in the section Alternative Methods for Managing Algae.

Rice Water Weevil (RWW) remains the primary insect pest of concern. However, concern for exotic pests such as panicle mite and early season pests like tadpole shrimp is increasing. Regulatory scrutiny of pyrethroid insecticides and the role of rice farming in mosquito control are other major research considerations in this area. Read about this work, insecticide testing, and related activities in Protection of Rice from Invertebrate Pests.

Rigorous laboratory and field testing to understand what happens to the chemical tools we use in rice culture has been a priority for the industry for many years. Research is designed to reveal whether a compound will dissipate in the atmosphere, dissolve in water, or degrade in the soil into harmless byproducts. Research on etofenprox, a newer, unregistered pyrethroid insecticide, showed this compound is unlikely to migrate off rice fields in drainage water. Research on the herbicide clomazone (Cerano®) is also reported in Environmental Fate of Rice Pesticides.

Knowledge of factors affecting rice moisture at harvest is critical to maximizing head rice yield. The newer variety M-206 continues to show high quality over a range of moisture contents. This attribute could help growers lower drying costs by harvesting at moisture levels as low as 15%. Read more about this work in Crop Management Effects on Milling Quality and Yield.

Improving consistency and accuracy in rice sample quality appraisals is the goal of another project affecting the bottom line. Results from 2007 research indicate that drying time for rice milling samples can be greatly reduced with infrared technology. Read about this work in Improvement of Rice Sample Milling.

New product research focused on the development of quick-cooking brown rice with ultrasonic technology. Experiments examined optimum cooking time, water uptake and changes in volume and kernel length. This work is reported in Rice Utilization and Product Development.

Research also continued on finding improved methods of turning rice straw into a successful livestock ration. Dairy producers cooperating in this study gave favorable assessments of new “double chop” rice straw. Read about this work in Enhancement of Rice Straw for Forage.

That’s a quick summary of what our ongoing investment in the future of the rice industry has returned in the year just past. It’s money well spent. The California rice industry continues to thrive through our commitment to research on the critical challenges we face and the opportunities we create. Wishing you all the best in rice country this year.