Information from 2000 Missouri Rice Research Update, February 2001.

Nitrogen and Seeding Rates on Baldo Rice

Gene Stevens, Alan Sheckell, Keith Birmingham, and David Dunn

Abstract

An experiment at the Missouri Rice Farm in 1999 showed that the most effective management program for Baldo involved applying at least 35 lb N/acre pre-flood with a total of 80 to 100 lb of N/acre for the season. In 2000, experiments were performed to test the effects of seeding rates and nitrogen timing on lodging, rice milling, and yield. The most effective N management program used was a multiple application method with a rate of 100 lb/acre. The seeding rate had little effect on yields.

Introduction

Baldo rice has unique taste and cooking properties that are preferred by some consumers in Mediterranean and Mid-Eastern countries. In 1998, the Missouri Rice Council negotiated with mills in Turkey to sell Baldo rice grown in Missouri. Under this agreement, Missouri farmers exported a limited amount of Baldo in 1999 at a higher price than other varieties that are being grown in the state. However, since Baldo has a tendency to lodge, farmers have a greater risk producing this variety than the semi-dwarf varieties. Baldo is a very tall variety that will stand 3.5 to 4 feet tall. One idea by farmers to reduce lodging has been to reduce the amount of N application early in the season on Baldo to discourage early vegetative growth.

Materials and Methods

Nitrogen test. Baldo was drill seeded May 8, 2000. Nine different nitrogen programs were tested with four replications. Each application involved applying various amounts of N fertilizer at specific plant growth stages. Plots were harvested for yield and samples milled for grain properties.

Seeding rate. Baldo was drill seeded at four different seeding rates on May 1, 2000. Plants per square foot were measured at first tiller growth stage. Plots were harvested for yield and sampled for milling qualities.

Results

Nitrogen management rates did not have a great effect on Baldo yields or lodging in 2000. Results in Table 1 indicate that rice yields were not significantly different based on total N applied. In 2000, we experienced 100% lodging in every treatment. Milling percent increased 10% from 1999 to 2000. In the seeding test, lodging percentage and yield varied with the different seeding rates, as shown in Table 2.

Conclusion

Over a two year average the treatment that yielded the highest consisted of 40 lb N at preflood, 30 lb flood + 2 weeks, 20 lb at ½ inch IE, 10 lb at early boot, bringing the total N up to 100 lb N/acre. These results are similar to earlier research with other varieties. In many cases, rice can compensate for low plant populations if environmental conditions are favorable for good tiller production.

Table 1. Effects of nitrogen management on Baldo rice milling and yields.

Preflood	Flood + 2 Weeks	½ - inch IE	Early Boot	Total Nitrogen	Milling %				Yield		Two Year Average
Preflood	Flood + 2 Weeks	½ - inch IE	Early Boot	Total Nitrogen	1999		2000		1999	2000	Two Year Average
---------------lb N per acre---------------					Head	Total	Head	Total	------bu per acre------
20	0	30	30	80	56	74	61	75	102	112	107
5	15	25	35	80	51	74	63	76	103	123	113
35	25	15	5	80	50	74	62	75	108	113	110
40	0	30	30	100	52	75	64	74	110	111	110
10	20	30	40	100	54	75	62	74	98	99	99
40	30	20	10	100	56	75	62	76	106	130	118
60	0	30	30	120	53	74	63	74	105	110	108
15	25	35	45	120	52	74	63	74	101	129	115
45	35	25	15	120	51	74	62	74	103	109	106

Table 2. Grain yields, lodging % and milling quality results for early-planted Baldo

Seeding Rate (lb/a)	Yield (bu/a)	Lodging %	Milling
60	53	50	75/66
90	55	50	73/65
120	73	40	75/64
150	62	45	71/62

This experiment funded by the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council.

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