1997 Rice Variety Performance Trials Dwight G. Kanter, Agronomist MAFES, Delta Research and Extension Center Stoneville, Mississippi Theodore C. Miller, Agronomist Tri-M Agronomics, LLC Leland, Mississippi Acknowledgements This research was partially funded by Mississippi Rice Promotion Board funds. The following County Agents of the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service participated in site selection of some of the on-farm tests: Dwayne Wheeler, Don Respess, and Tommy Baird. Special thanks are given to the cooperating producers who voluntarily provided the land area for conducting these tests and for the production inputs during the crop season. These tests are an inconvenience for some field operations and their patience is sincerely appreciated. The assistance of George Baird, III, Research Assistant and L.S. Lanford and Shari Murphee, Agricultural Technicians, MAFES, Delta Research and Extension Center, in conducting this research is appreciated. Connie Rowinski, Research Assistant I, in Plant Pathology collected the disease data. Notice to User This Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station information bulletin is a summary of research conducted under project number MIS-1620 at the Delta Branch Experiment Station in Stoneville, Mississippi, and several other locations shown on the map. It is intended for the use of colleagues, cooperators, and sponsors. The interpretation of data presented herein may change after additional experimentation. Information included is not to be construed as a recommendation for use or as an endorsement of a specific product by Mississippi State University or the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. This report contains data generated as part of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station research program. Joint sponsorship by the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board is gratefully acknowledged. Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for clarity and understanding. All available names (i.e. trade names, chemical names, experimental product code names or numbers, etc.) of products used in this research project are listed in the tables and footnotes contained in this report.   Published by the Office of Agricultural Communications; Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi State University; Robert Hearn, publications editor, and Patsy Sykes, electronic publishing assistant.   Contents Introduction Test Procedures Results Table 1. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil near Tunica, Tunica County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 2. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Forestdale silty clay loam soil near Lambert, Quitman County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 3. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Dundee silt loam soil near Drew, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 4. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay loam soil near Cleveland, Bolivar County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 5. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil at the Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, Mississippi, as part of the on-farm tests, 1997 Table 6. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil near Hollandale, Washington County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 7. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil near Rolling Fork, Issaquena County, Mississippi, 1997 Table 8. Average rough rice yields of long grain varieties and lines evaluated in on-farm tests at seven locations, 1997 Table 9. Average agronomic and milling performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown at seven on-farm locations, 1997 Table 10. Annual and average grain yields along with agronomic and milling data averages of rice varieties and lines grown in the Delta on-farm tests from 1987 to 1997 Table 11. Reactions of rice varieties to common diseases   In 1997, approximately 238,237 acres of rice were planted in 17 Delta counties of Mississippi compared to 204,586 acres planted in 1996. Bolivar County had the highest planted acreage at 75,000 acres. Essentially all the production in Mississippi was from long grain rice. Lemont continued to be the predominant variety planted on about 66% of the acreage. Estimated acreages planted to other varieties were as follows: Cypress -- 21%, Kaybonnet -- 4%, Jackson -- 3%, Litton -- 3%, and 3% for other varieties. The on-farm variety tests represent the final step in the yield evaluation program before a variety is released for commercial production in Mississippi. Conducting these tests on commercial farms across the Delta provides important information on variety performance and adaptability under diverse environmental conditions. These test locations give a partial sampling of actual "real world" production situations in the Delta where practically all Mississippi rice is produced. These multiple locations also permit evaluation of entries for resistance to pests and/or other field related stresses, which often have a greater natural incidence at locations other than at the Delta Research and Extension Center (DREC). Significant sheath blight and a trace of kernel smut occurred at some locations in 1997. Planting dates for the different locations ranged from April 4 to May 13 which are within the typical period for rice planting in the Delta. Five tests were planted into conventionally prepared seedbeds and two were planted into minimum tilled seedbeds. Early season rainy weather and cool temperatures delayed emergence, resulting in uneven rice stands in most tests. Moderate to severe sheath blight infection developed on susceptible entries in the Cleveland and Lambert tests. There was no observed incidence of blast in any of the test locations although some straighthead was observed at the Lambert and Drew locations. Weather conditions during the reproductive growth phase were not conducive to either high grain yields or excellent millling quality. Therefore, yields and milling quality at all locations were generally not as good as those experienced in 1996. Variety selection is one of the most important decisions a rice producer makes as he prepares his production plans each season. The information in this bulletin is intended to assist the producer in this decision making process. Other sources of information may include past production experience with that variety and consulting with local and state rice extension personnel. Data summarized over locations and years are generally a more reliable indication of future variety performance than individual tests. Eleven long grain varieties and lines were included in the replicated test at each location. Priscilla, (formerly RU 9404036) was the only newly released variety in 197. It was released by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and is a high yielding long grain variety with excellent agronomic, processing, and disease characteristics. Priscilla has been included in the on-farm tests for the past four years. Its average rough rice and whole grain milling yields have led the tests during that time showing that it can perform under a wide range of soil and environmental conditions.   Test Procedures Each test consisted of four replications planted at the seven locations. All 7-row plots were drillseeded at an equivalent seeding rate of 90 lb/A at a depth of approximately one inch. Cultural practices were performed by the cooperator and varied by location. In general, the tests were grown under conditions of high productivity. The field management practices for each location are recorded in footnotes of Tables 1 through 7. Agronomic data were collected at appropriate times during the season. Plots were hand-harvested and standard procedures were used in processing the samples for grain and milling yield determinations. Readers may refer to a variety bulletin of a previous year for further details on experimental procedures. Statistical analyses were performed on the yield data from each location. The least significant difference (LSD) for yield at the 5% probability level has been included in the tables to aid in comparing varieties. If the yields of any two varieties or lines differ by the LSD value or more, they may be considered significantly different. The coefficient of variation (CV) provides a general indication of the level of precision of each variety test. Lower CV values indicate greater reliability of the test. LSD and CV values are reported in the footnotes of the first nine tables. Results The field performance of each variety in the seven individual tests is present in Tables 1 through 7. Average test yields ranged from 128 bu/A at Drew to 165 bu/A at Tunica. Grain yields of varieties in these tests averaged about 5% lower in 1997 than in 1996 reflecting in part the nature of the weather condicitions during the critical grain development stages. There were some initial stand problems and irregular emergence within plots at all but the Stoneville location. However, the rice at all locations emerged and developed into satisfactory stands. The field test locations at Tunica, Drew, and Hollandale had been precision leveled the previous year. Straighthead intensity varied from light to moderate at the Drew location depending on variety or line susceptibility. A small amount of straighthead was also observed again this year at the Lambert location. Fields at both locations are silt loam soils and had been recently landformed, the one at Drew last year and the one at Lambert two years ago. Generally, yields, milling quality, and test variability (CV) were worse this year than last year across all on-farm tests, probably due to more adverse weather conditions. Sheath blight ratings are listed in the location and summary tables. Table 8 provides a seven location summary of grain yields for all varieties and lines tested. Average yield of Priscilla across all seven on-farm locations was 172 bu/A compared to number two ranked LaGrue, which averaged 164 bu/A (Table 9). It can be seen from the LSD value for the average column that it significantly outyielded all varieties and lines except LaGrue in the 1997 On-Farm Rice Variety Tests. Table 10 shows Priscilla's milling quality to be close to that of Lemont and that it also has a very heavy grain weight (27.9 gm/1000 seed). It possesses sheath blight tolerance as indicated in the tables and specifically in Table 4 where sheath blight was shown to be heavier at Cleveland. Another variety that continues to have an excellent performance record is Lemont. Although Lemont has some shortcomings, it continues to be the variety of choice in Mississippi because of its consistnet and dependable productivity. The average values for milling and agronomic characteristics are summarized in Table 9. Head rice yields in pounds per acre are reported to give the reader a knowledge of a variety's overall performance in terms of whole grain milled rice produced per acre. It can be seen, for example, that Priscilla produced significantly more head rice yield per acre than all other varieties in the 1997 on farm variety test, topping LaGrue by 448 lb/acre. Both total and whole grain milling yields were lower in 1997 than in 1996. Kaybonnet and Drew averaged the highest whole grain milling yields (60.9 and 59.2, respectively). Lodging resistance should be seriously considered when selecting a variety to grow. This is especially important when it occurs early before fields have been drained or when rainy weather persists before harvest. Lodging was more severe in 1997 than it was in 1996. Lodging was worst at the Hollandale location although a fair amount occurred at Drew, Cleveland, and Rolling Fork. RU9604077 lodged slightly at only one location (Hollandale - 1%). The varieties that lodged the most in the 1997 On-farm Rice Variety Test was LaGrue (40%), Drew (38%), Cypress (27%), and Jackson (26%)(Table 9). The long-term performance of 11 varieties and lines in on-farm tests is presented in Table 10. Three- and multi-year averages are indicated for individual varieties. Data averaged over three or more years are generally more reliable for predicting variety performance for yield and other characteristics. Information on disease reactions of individual varieties is presented in Table 11. Table 1. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil near Tunica, Tunica County, Mississippi, 1997.1 Variety or line Grain yield2 Milled head rice Milling yield Bushel weight Plant height 50% Heading Maturity Lodging 1000 seed weight3 Total Whole   bu/A lb/A -------%------- lb in Days after emergence % gm LaGrue 206 5161 67.7 55.8 41.4 46 89 142 0 25.9 Lemont 180 5007 71.8 61.8 41.0 35 96 137 0 27.0 Priscilla 180 4921 68.6 60.7 39.0 36 89 134 0 27.1 Drew 176 4752 68.8 60.1 41.0 46 89 137 0 24.7 Kaybonnet 169 4674 68.5 61.6 39.2 44 90 134 0 21.0 Litton 168 4360 68.7 57.8 39.0 36 99 140 0 24.7 Jackson 159 3967 67.5 55.5 39.1 39 87 133 0 22.0 RU 9604077 158 4316 69.5 60.8 41.5 33 91 135 0 23.4 Cypress 154 4272 68.4 61.6 39.6 37 91 139 0 24.0 RU 9704015 140 3585 64.6 57.0 39.8 41 89 130 0 22.1 Jefferson * * 67.3 60.5 36.6 35 79 119 0 28.7 1Planting date: April 4; Emerged: May 6. Herbicides:Glyphosate (Roundup Ultra®) at 0.75 lb/A plus 2,4-D (Weedar 64®) at 0.33 lb/A on March 10 and propanil (Stam®) at 3 lb/A plus quinclorac (Facet®) at 0.5 lb/A on May 18. Fertilizer: Nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) at 84 lb/A on May 19; (urea) at 23 lb/A on June 20, and 46 lb/A on June 30 and July 9. Permanent flood: May 19. Insecticide: Methyl parathion at 0.25 lb/A on August 8. Drained field: August 25. 2Rough rice at 12% moisture. A difference of 23 bu/A is required for one variety to differ from another at the 5% probability level. 3Weight of 1000 kernels. * Severe bird damage Table 2. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Forestdale silty clay loam soil near Lambert, Quitman County, Mississippi, 1997.1 Variety or line Grain yield2 Milled head rice Milling yield Bushel weight Plant height 50% Heading Maturity Lodging 1000 seed weight3 Sheath blight4 Total Whole   bu/A lb/A -------%------- lb in Days after emergence % gm score Drew 167 4597 71.0 61.3 42.9 44 84 129 1 22.8 4.5 Priscilla 165 3679 69.1 49.3 41.1 36 80 126 1 28.4 3.6 LaGrue 156 3533 67.8 50.0 41.2 41 79 130 8 25.7 4.3 Kaybonnet 148 3989 68.7 59.9 41.1 42 82 124 3 21.2 6.1 Litton 147 3569 68.8 54.1 38.2 37 86 133 0 26.9 4.5 Lemont 146 4015 71.7 61.0 42.2 33 85 126 0 27.5 3.6 Jackson 138 3102 68.7 49.8 39.4 40 78 123 9 24.2 4.4 RU 9704015 137 3444 65.9 55.0 41.8 40 79 116 3 20.6 4.3 RU 9604077 130 3585 68.1 61.2 40.3 31 83 123 0 23.5 3.6 Cypress 126 3292 69.0 58.0 40.1 36 86 131 3 23.7 4.7 Jefferson 114 2836 70.1 55.3 40.0 36 74 109 0 28.3 4.5 1Planting date: April 14; Emerged: May 4; Herbicides: Quinclorac (Facet®) at 0.50 lb/A on April 18. Fertilizer: Nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) at 21 lb/A on May 9; (41-0-0-4) at 82 lb/A on May 23 and (urea) at 35 lb/A on June 12, 45 lb on June 30 and July 11. Permanent flood: May 27. Drained field: August 18. 2Rough rice at 12% moisture. A difference of 29 bu/A is required for one variety to differ from another at the 5% probability level. C.V. = 14.9. 3Weight of 1000 kernels. 4Sheath blight rating using a 1 (least susceptible) to 9 (most susceptible) scale. Data collected by rice pathology personnel. Table 3. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Dundee silt loam soil near Drew, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, 1997.1 Variety or line Grain yield2 Milled head rice Milling yield Bushel weight Plant height 50% Heading Maturity Lodging 1000 seed weight3 Total Whole   bu/A lb/A -------%------- lb in Days after emergence % gm Lemont 155 4063 70.9 58.4 40.2 37 91 131 0 24.0 Priscilla 150 3845 68.6 56.9 39.9 38 89 130 8 25.5 Jefferson 135 3754 71.1 61.8 39.6 38 81 119 0 27.9 Drew 127 3238 66.3 56.3 38.8 47 94 132 29 21.0 Kaybonnet 126 3445 68.6 60.7 40.6 46 87 128 23 19.0 Jackson 123 2852 66.4 51.3 36.9 44 88 127 54 20.5 LaGrue 121 2628 63.7 47.8 35.9 46 94 131 71 23.6 RU 960477 119 2824 68.7 52.6 39.9 32 95 130 0 21.1 Cypress 118 2958 66.3 55.9 36.6 38 88 133 39 21.4 Litton 116 2676 66.7 51.4 36.4 35 90 132 0 22.2 RU 9704015 113 3415 62.0 53.2 37.9 47 87 125 49 18.5 1Planting date: April 10; Emerged: May 4; Herbicides: Propanil (Stam® at 3 lb/A plus pendimethalin (Prowl®) at 0.75 lb/A on April 30. Fertilizer: Nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) at 42 lb/A on April 30 and (urea) at 90 lb/A on May 24 and 46 lb on July 11 and 21. Permanent flood: May 24. Insecticide: Methyl parathion at 0.25 lb/A on Spetember 2. Fungicide: Azoxystrobin (Quadris®) at 0.2 lb/A on July 12. Drained field: August 25. 2Rough rice at 12% moisture. A difference of 23 bu/A is required for one variety to differ from another at the 5% probability level. C.V. = 12.5. 3Weight of 1000 kernels. Table 4. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil near Cleveland, Bolivar County, Mississippi, 1997.1 Variety or line Grain yield2 Milled head rice Milling yield Bushel weight Plant height 50% Heading Maturity Lodging 1000 seed weight3 Sheath blight4 Total Whole   bu/A lb/A -------%------- lb in Days after emergence % gm score Priscilla 170 4403 70.3 57.7 40.4 38 79 117 5 26.7 3.9 LaGrue 159 3720 66.6 51.8 40.5 43 79 124 71 24.3 5.6 RU 9604077 149 4018 68.9 59.8 38.1 32 85 121 0 22.4 6.5 Kaybonnet 147 4061 69.0 61.6 40.2 44 89 120 10 19.4 4.4 Jefferson 142 3061 68.8 48.0 38.0 38 70 107 7 26.4 5.5 RU 9704015 135 3170 66.6 52.2 39.4 44 83 117 12 19.3 4.4 Jackson 134 2586 65.1 42.8 36.0 41 77 117 10 22.0 4.5 Lemont 133 3398 71.1 56.7 40.1 35 88 123 4 25.5 5.6 Drew 127 3347 66.4 58.5 38.5 46 86 128 85 20.6 5.8 Litton 126 2669 67.0 47.3 35.7 39 90 132 19 23.7 4.4 Cypress 109 2813 67.8 57.3 38.3 38 88 133 20 22.2 4.0 1Planting date: April 15; Emerged:May 4. Herbicides: Propanil (Stam®) at 2 lb/A plus quinclorac (Facet®) at 0.35 lb/A plus pendimethalin (Prowl® at 1 lb/A on May 12; 2, 4-D (Weedar 64®) at 1.25 lb/A on June 25. Fertilizer: Nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) at 17 lb/A on May 5; (urea) at 90 lb/A on May 12, 23 lb/A on June 12, 46 lb/A on June 25 and July 1. Permanent flood: May 14. Drained field: August 13. 2Rough rice at 12% moisture. A difference of 18 bu/A is required for one variety to differ from another at the 5% probability level. C.V. = 8.9. 3Weight of 1000 kernels. 4Sheath blight rating using a 1 (least susceptible) to 9 (most susceptible) scale. Data collected by rice pathology personnel. Table 5. Performance of long grain rice varieties and lines grown on a Sharkey clay soil at the Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, Mississippi, as part of the on-farm tests, 1997.1 Variety or line Grain yield2 Milled head rice Milling yield Bushel weight Plant height 50% Heading Maturity Lodging 1000 seed weight3 Sheath blight4 Total Whole   bu/A lb/A -------%------- lb in Days after emergence % gm score Priscilla 190