For 100 years, the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station has been conducting research and developing new rice varieties that benefit the rice industry in Louisiana as well as other states. This video takes you through history and research of the Rice Research Station.

Nearly all of the rice grown in Louisiana was developed at the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley. The world’s first herbicide-resistant rice, which helps Louisiana producers fight the weeds that historically have plagued their rice, was discovered at the station. The station celebrates 100 years in 2009.

The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station was established in 1909 and will celebrate 100 years of technology development for the Louisiana rice industry with its annual field day on July 1. The initial catalyst for the establishment of the research station was the need for new improved varieties for the emerging rice industry in the southwestern portion of the state.

More rice acreage in Louisiana will be seeded to medium-grain varieties than has been the case in a number of years.

Quarterly publications with current activities and research updates for 2009. Topics covered in these issues include: enhanced disease resistance; grape colapsis; medium-grain rice production; hybrid rice research; alligator weed; new variety release of Jazzman; zinc in rice; infestation of the Mexican rice borer; Master Farmer Program; screening for disease in rice; availability of Dermcor X-100.

Twenty-five years ago Louisiana was predominantly a medium-grain producing state. In the decade of the 1980s, we planted approximately 65 percent of our acreage in medium-grain varieties, with the reminder seeded to long-grain types. In 2008, Louisiana planted over 95 percent of our acreage in long-grain types.

One of the most important functions of the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station is the production of foundation rice seed. The Rice Research Station produces foundation seed primarily of varieties developed by the station.

“Proceedings of Symposium on Current Status of Coastal Wetland Plants Research and Restoration Efforts at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, November 14, 2008. Meeting overview, Agenda, Presentation abstracts, Author information, and List of registered attendees are provided”.

The Rice Research Institute located at the Guangxi Academy is renowned for its expertise in rice research, and this is the primary purpose of our visit. We hope to establish long-term collaborative research efforts between this Chinese research facility and the Rice Station that will ultimately benefit the Louisiana rice industry.

The 2008 Louisiana rice planting season started out with a general air of optimism. However, as the rice cropping season draws to a close, it will be remembered as one of the most diverse and surprising.