Brookshire, Texas, USA
October 22, 2009
More than 80 RiceTec Hybrid Rice customers and industry representatives from rice-producing areas of the Gulf Coast gathered recently at Des Woods' farm in Waller County to share knowledge and experiences to help maximize the ratoon crop potential for their RiceTec hybrids.
For the past several years, Woods has grown only RiceTec hybrids and has a great deal of experience to draw from in hybrid ratoon crop management. Emphasizing what is most important, Woods said that a grower must go into the crop year thinking about the ratoon crop and manage the first crop all season in anticipation of the second crop. For Woods, genetic selection is key.
Also, Woods said that stubble management on the first crop is beneficial to the overall performance of the second crop. On his farm, Woods uses a flail mower to cut the stubble of his first crop to a height of 6 to 8 inches. The
mower gives a good distribution of the first-crop material, allowing for better regrowth on the second crop. Woods also attributes a successful ratoon crop to first-crop fertilization practices and water management.
"The success of a good ratoon crop depends on the care with which the main crop is cultivated in the growing season," concurred Dr. Fernando Correa of Alvin, Texas (Brazoria Texas), a RiceTec plant pathologist.
Correa explained that management practices on the first crop to positively impact the second crop include land preparation, adequate plant density and spacing, appropriate cultivars, water management, adequate rate of
fertilizers, appropriate height of cutting, and control of insects, diseases and weeds.
"The best time to harvest the main crop for raising a good ratoon crop is when the culms are still green; stalks should be cut before the main crop is fully mature,² he said. ³We suggest that growers evaluate ratoon potential
before implementing management practices that may increase production costs. Disease pressure, insect populations, tillering of first crop, and water and nutrient availability should all be taken into account when planning for a successful second crop."
Derrol Grymes of East Bernard, Texas (Wharton County), the local RiceTec service representative, gave updates to the group about commercial performance of RiceTec hybrids across the Texas Rice Belt and about the
performance of hybrids in yield trials across his service area. Grymes previously harvested a trial crop on Woods' farm, and in now managing that trial for a ratoon crop, with Woods' help.
"There are a lot of reports of fields being drained, and harvest of the ratoon crop should be underway,² Grymes said. ³Early indications are suggesting good second-crop yields this year."
In addition to the large-acre yield trials such as those on Woods' farm, RiceTec is conducting ratoon management trials on farms across the Gulf Coast growing area. Second-crop nitrogen management, mowing-height studies and planting/harvest-date trials are helping RiceTec identify best practices for maximizing yield in a second-crop environment. The results of these studies will help RiceTec customers make informed decisions throughout the year to maximize yield and profit potential on first- and second-crop hybrid rice.
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec Inc. has been developing hybrid rice seed since 1988, offering the first commercial hybrid rice seed product in 1999. RiceTec was founded on the premise that modern, technology-based breeding techniques - combined with a broad, diverse germplasm collection - allow for efficient development and economical production of superior hybrid seed products, as well as specialty rice for consumer markets. RiceTec also has research centers in Harrisburg, Ark., and at off-season locations in Puerto Rico, which allows the company to grow and test rice year-round. RiceTec is the only rice seed company with a technical service team on-call throughout the growing season to answer questions and make recommendations to help growers maximize the performance of their hybrid rice crops.
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