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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #309639
Title: Cover crop, soil amendments, and variety effects on organic rice production in Texas

Author
item DOU, F - Texas A&M University
item ZHOU, X - Texas A&M University
item McClung, Anna
item STORLIEN, J - Texas A&M University
item LANG, Y - Yangzhou University
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item HONS, F - Texas A&M University
item WARDS, B - Clemson University
item KRESOVICH, S - University Of South Carolina
item Wight, J

Submitted to: Rice Technical Working Group Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2014
Publication Date: 2/19/2014
Citation: Dou, F., Zhou, X., Mcclung, A.M., Storlien, J., Lang, Y., Torbert III, H.A., Hons, F., Wards, B., Kresovich, S., Wight, J.R. 2014. Cover crop, soil amendments, and variety effects on organic rice production in Texas. Rice Technical Working Group Meeting Proceedings. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The major challenges in organic rice production include nutrient improvement, weed management, and variety selection. In this study, we tested the effects of two soil amendments on organic production in southcentral USA. The 2011-12 winter cover crops were established successfully with full coverage. The amount of dry biomass were 5,257 and 5,780 kg/ha for clover and ryegrass, respectively. Plots were cultivated and drill seeded but high weed pressure in the fallow plots resulted in very poor stands. Only results of rice grain yields from clover and ryegrass treatments were presented. Cover crops had a similar effect on rice grain yield, although numerically, rice grain yield under ryegrass treatment was higher than that under clover treatment. Compared to Presidio, Tesanai had significantly higher grain yield. Soil amendments did not have significant effect on rice grain yield. Compared to the control, the 168 kg N/ha and 235 kg N/ha soil amendment rates increased rice grain yields by 11%. There was no difference in rice grain yields between the two N rates, indicating that 168 kg N/ha was sufficient for organic rice production in terms of N supply. Compared to Presidio, Tesanai had greater plant height and appeared to be more competitive with weeds. Aboveground biomass of the rice crop was affected by the rate of soil amendments rather than the type of soil amendments. Rice milling yield was significantly affected by cover crop and rice variety.