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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #274662
Title: Reducing the severity of false smut in rice fields

Author
item ANDERS, MERLE - University Of Arkansas
item BROOKS, STEVEN - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: Agricultural Experiment Station Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2011
Publication Date: 5/31/2011
Citation: Anders, M.M., Brooks, S.A. 2011. Reducing the severity of false smut in rice fields. Texas Rice. XI(3):11-15.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: False smut is a disease that farmers can likely expect to see more of in the future. Disease severity will vary greatly from year to year, and currently, fungicide sprays are suppressive at best. However, there are management strategies that rice farmers can adopt that will significantly reduce the severity of this disease. The current management practice of intensive cultivation and high N fertility rates that are used in a rice-soybean rotation are the most favorable for false smut disease. It is possible to reduce the severity of false smut by reducing tillage, not using a rice-soybean rotation, and possibly growing furrow-irrigated rice where other risks can be managed. Based on these studies, farmers should be very cautious about applying more than 140 lbs N/ac on silt loam soils where false smut is a consistent concern, or avoid applying more than the recommended nitrogen fertilizer level for the variety and soil type.