ARS | Publication request: DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED RICE CULTIVARS FOR THE SOUTHERN U.S.

Submitted to: Extension Service Bulletins
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Jefferson is a semidwarf cultivar which has improved resistance to the two most prevalent rice diseases in the U.S., blast and sheath blight. It is one to two weeks earlier maturing than the leading commercial cultivars which will greatly increase the likelihood of being able to harvest a ratoon crop in the fall. Madison long-grain rice was released in 1998 and has similar attributes to Jefferson but is later in maturity. This may hel producers spread out their harvest times in the fall without compromising on disease resistance. In 1996, Dixiebelle was released as a conventional long grain cultivar which has superior processing quality for use in the parboil-canning industries.