Field Plot Design: Each season-length group was evaluated as a separate trial. Each test was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each plot consisted of seven rows, 16.5 feet long, with a between-row spacing of 7.5 inches.
Entries: Seed of all public varieties were obtained from Karen Moldenhauer - Stuttgart, AR, Steve Linscombe - Crowley, LA, Anna McClung - Beaumont, TX, and Dwight Kanter - Stoneville, MS. Seed of RiceTec XL6 was obtained from RiceTec.
Plot Management: Plots were planted with an Almaco no-till plot drill. Pre-flood fertilizer was applied at a rate of 100-0-0. The flood was maintained throughout the growing season. No adjustments in rates were made to meet specific requirements of individual public varieties. The fertilizer rate of RiceTec XL6 was 60-0-0 applied pre- flood.
For primary weed control, Stam and Facet herbicides were applied prior to flooding. There was a later application of Stam and Arrosolo. Plots were then hand weeded as necessary. There were no insecticides applied.
The plots were harvested with an Almaco research plot combine. The grain from all plots was weighed and moisture tested electronically on the combine.
Data Recorded: Heading date, plant height, lodging and yield were measured for each variety. Heading date was determined from the day of emergence to the presence of 50 percent of the panicles at least partially emerged from the boot. Height was taken as the average distance in inches from the soil surface to the top of the grain on the plant. Lodging, which indicates the degree of erectness, was scored on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 indicated all plants were erect (no lodging) and 100 percent indicating all plants were lodged. Yields were adjusted to 12 percent moisture and reported on a bushels per acre basis. To convert yield to pounds per acre, multiply bushels per acre by 45.