April 1999 
 In This Issue: |
 Scardaci Returns from Sabbatic LeaveRice Variety Trial ResultsNew Rice Varieties ReleasedWeed Control in RiceCalifornia Rice Commission Referendum |
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| Scardaci Returns from Sabbatic LeaveOn March 1, I returned from my six month sabbatic study leave. During my leave I reviewed data and prepared summary articles for pesticide residue and salinity studies conducted in previous years. These summary articles are being prepared for California Agriculture, a magazine published by the University of California. Both articles have significant implications on rice water quality issues.I also traveled to Australia to tour their rice area in New South Wales to learn about their rice production system and salinity/water issues. Australian rice production is very similar to California and some of their practices or technologies may be suitable for use here. Salinity is a major problem in some parts of Australia and is managed in similar ways. They have developed different water control structures and water depth measuring devices that could be useful to us with water management in rice. Chemical materials for midge control in Australia may also be useful for us.In addition, I attended the National Agronomy and Plant Pathology meetings in Baltimore and Las Vegas, respectively. Attendance at these meetings helped me to update and expand my knowledge of Agronomic and Pathology topics. I attended sessions on educational methods and technology, resistance management with transgenic crops, pest management programs, grant writing and many other topics. I also attended the vendor exhibits to learn about the latest research and ag testing equipment and information resources.These sabbatic activities have given me some new ideas and perspectives and will help me to better serve the California rice industry. |
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| Rice Variety Trial ResultsUC Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Rice Experiment Station conducts a statewide rice variety testing program to evaluate released varieties and to help develop new varieties. Annually 11 tests are conducted in grower fields or at the Rice Experiment Station at Biggs. There are 8 locations for very early and early maturing varieties and 3 locations for late maturing varieties. Table 1 summarizes the 1998 yield results for the very early and early tests. Yields were poorer than normal last year due to late plantings and the cool and wet spring. Yields for M-202, M-204 and M-201 were not significantly different from one another in the very early and early tests. Performance of these varieties may vary from year to year depending on weather and other factors. Cool conditions may favor M-202, while warmer conditions may favor M-204 or M-201. Generally, these varieties perform similarly on average. The very early maturing variety M-103 performed about as expected, by yielding less than the other main medium grain varieties (M-202, M-204, M-201). L-203 and L-204 yielded about the same, but significantly less than the main medium grains, while S-102 yielded about the same or better. |
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| New Rice Varieties Released |
| Foundation seed for four new public rice varieties have been released to the California industry this year. The new varieties include L-205, M-402, Calmati-201 and Calhikari-201. Plant variety protection is being sought for each variety. Seed increases this and next year will make certified seed widely available in 2001. Brief descriptions of these new varieties follow.L-205 is an early maturing, smooth hulled, semi-dwarf variety with improved grain quality. L-205's dry cooking characteristics make it suitable for the Southern long grain and processing markets. It heads about 2 days later than L-204 and about the same time as L-203. L-205 has weaker seedling vigor, is about two inches taller and lodges slightly more than L-203 and L-204. Stem rot disease ratings for L-205 were similar to L-204, but higher than L-203. Yield potential for L-205 approaches that of L-203 and L-204. In 24 tests from 1995 to 1998 L-205 yielded 8475 lb/acre compared to 8554 and 8558 lb/acre for L-203 and L-204, respectively. Milling yields for L-205 were similar to L-204. Highest head rice yields were achieved at harvest moistures of 16-18% moisture. L-205 is adapted to all but the coolest rice growing areas of the state.M-402 is a late maturing, smooth hulled, semi-dwarf premium quality medium grain variety. It heads about 6 days earlier, is about 2 inches shorter and lodges much less than M-401. Blanking for M-402 was lower than M-401. In 19 tests from 1994 to 1998 the average yield for M-402 was 9160 lb/acre compared to 8580 lb/acre for M-401. Kernels of M-402 are smaller, more translucent and head rice milling yields are 5% better than M-401. Evaluations by California rice marketing organizations indicate that M-402 is similar to M-401 in cooking quality evaluations. The quality characteristics of this new variety should make it suitable for the premium quality medium grain market. It is not well suited for late plantings or for the coldest rice growing areas.Calmati-201 is an early maturing, rough hulled, semi-dwarf aromatic "basmati type" long-grain variety. Its kernels are aromatic and elongate when cooked. This new variety should allow California growers to enter the Basmati rice market.Calmati heads about 5 days later and is about 4 inches taller than L-204. It’s height and heading times are about the same as A-201. Seedling vigor is poorer and lodging slightly higher for Calmati-201 compared to A-201 and L-204. Calmati blanks much more than L-204 and slightly more than A-201. In 12 tests between 1996 and 1998 Calmati averaged 7120 lb/acre compared to 8440 lb/acre for L-204. In 6 test in 1997 and 1998 Calmati-201 yielded 6950 lb/acre compared to 7790 lb/acre for A-201. Head rice yields for Calmati-201 were poorer that L-204 but better than A-201. Because of Calmati-201's susceptibility to blanking it should only be grown in the warmest rice areas.Calhikari-201 is an early maturing, rough hulled, semi-dwarf, premium quality short grain variety. It was developed from crosses with Koshihikari. This variety should fit into the Japanese premium quality short grain market. Comparisons with Akitakomachi show that is has much better seedling vigor, heads about 8 days later, is about 5 inches shorter and lodges much less that Akitakomachi. In 8 tests from 1997-1998 Calhikari-201 yielded 8171 lb/acre compared to 6469 lb/acre for Akitakomachi. Calhikari-201 has high milling yield potential but is less than Akitakomachi and Koshihikari. Taste evaluations in Japan using taste machines have given "acceptable scores" for this California grown premium quality short grain. Taste test evaluations conducted by one California marketing organization showed "acceptable and sometime very good" results, but they were usually below the best premium Japanese varieties. Some marketing organizations have indicated interest in Calhikari for the premium quality short grain market.For additional information on these new varieties please contact my office. |
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| The Framework for Weed Control Programs in California Rice, by James E Hill and Albert J Fischer, University of California, Davis |
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| California Rice Commission Referendum A referendum on whether to form a new California Rice Commission is currently underway. If the commission is approved it will replace the California Rice Promotion Board and much of the California Rice Industry Association. Ballots were sent out in mid February to growers and handlers by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. By the time you receive this newsletter the vote on the commission should be complete. If approved the California Rice Commission (CRC) would provide the industry with one organization to address marketing, promotion and authorized regulatory programs. Specific activities of the Commission might include promotion and public affairs, interaction with government agencies, market research, rice straw utilization promotion, pesticide registration activities, air and water quality issues and wetlands, waterfowl and wildlife programs.
Steven C. Scardaci |
Comments to jayoung@ucdavis.edu