Dr. Duane S. Mikkelsen discusses nitrogen fertilization practices at the 1985 Rice Field Day.

• The average statewide rice yield in California in 1985 was 7,400 pounds per acre, the highest on record. High yields helped offset the dismal market price situation and rising production costs.

• There are three new rice varieties on the horizon: Calmochi-101, for which foundation seed is available; an unnamed possible replacement for M-101; and a long grain specialty aromatic or scented rice currently being evaluated by the rice industry.

• A weedy relative of cultivated rice was found to be a good source of resistance to aggregate sheath spot. Crosses have been made and lines showing resistance will be included in the breeding program.

Marlin Brandon (left), new Rice Experiment Station director, is congratulated by Morton D. Morse, who was station director for the past 20 years.

• Over 700 rice plants have been regenerated from anther cultures. The method may make it possible to shorten varietal development time by 2 or 3 years.

• In a field study, water holding periods of 16 or 32 days following a postflood application of Ordram had little, if any, effect on rice or weeds when compared to an 8-day water holding period.

• 1985 v Use of a continuous water depth of 5 to 8 inches combined with the use of herbicides provided better weed control than several other water management treatments.

• Two new herbicides, Londax and Whip, are in late stages of evaluation and are approaching registration. Whip controls barnyardgrass and sprangletop. Londax is a broad spectrum broadleaf herbicide.

• MCPA does not appear to reduce rice yields when applied to vigorous dense rice stands during early tillering, and applications of nitrogen fertilizer top dressing after MCPA treatment did not improve yields.

Rice Field Day participants tour breeding plots

• Kernel smut was found in 11 percent of 1,100 rice fields sampled in 1984. The long grain varieties appear to have a higher incidence of smut than the other two types. Sodium hypochlorite seed treatments are effective for eliminating kernel smut from seed.

• Surface and lightly incorporated carbofuran granules applied before flooding at 1 lb ai/acre gave about equal control of the rice water weevil.

• Rats in rice fields are controlled using zinc phosphide bait applied by hand or broadcast. Control methods include weed control on levees and ditches, stubble burning and fall discing. Laser-leveled fields are less favorable for rats because there are fewer levees.

• Differences between spiketooth and rasp bar cylinders in rice combines as measured by head rice yields were too small to recommend one cylinder over the other.

Promising new rice selections under preliminary increase at the Rice Experiment Station, Biggs.

• Head rice yields of swath harvested rice were improved by folding the windrow so that the heads were in the center and protected by a straw layer above and below. A successful mechanical system for sheltering grain in windrows has not yet been designed.

• In both laboratory and field studies, zinc oxide (ZnO) was able to break down molinate and thiobencarb to half their initial concentrations in just a few minutes after its application. ZnO appears to be a very promising prospect for reducing pesticide residues in drainage waters.

• During the 69-day fall rice straw burning period (Sept. 16 to Nov. 23), 275,480 acres of rice straw were burned, the largest amount in the last six years. Results of the fall burning program were very good even though adverse meteorological conditions prevailed through much of the burning period.

Field Day participants enjoy lunch at the Rice Experiment Station.

• Residue levels of the herbicide Ordram in the Colusa Basin Drain exceeded the established guidelines briefly in late May, but no fish kills were observed. Thiobencarb (Bolero) concentrations at the water intake for the Sacramento water treatment plant were above 1.0 ppb for 18 consecutive days in late May and early June. Concentrations above 1.0 ppb are believed to cause off flavor in water from a breakdown product of Bolero.

• Head rice yields for 1984 showed varietal differences ranging from 40.7 percent for M-101 to 60.7 percent for M-7. Head rice yields also differ with respect to location, moisture content and harvesting conditions. Analyses were based on 9,428 lots of rice delivered to the Rice Growers Association and Butte County Rice Growers Association over the last six years.

• Stabilized rice bran is being manufactured and used in formulating numerous food products in the United States and also has found a market in Japan.

• New rice products being investigated are crispy cakes, rice flours and various breakfast cereals. Other prospects are rice syrups and high protein products for baby foods.