Clearfield Rice Lines Need Work
29 July 2008 The development of a Clearfield medium-grain rice variety has been delayed by an unexpected challenge, said Steve Linscombe, a Louisianna State University (LSU) AgCenter rice breeder.
Linscombe said he expected the experimental line CY005 to be ready soon; however, it turned out to be unsuitable for commercial production, as it was not totally uniform for a cereal chemistry component. Instead of proceding with work to make that line uniform for the component, Linscombe decided to drop that line. Instead, he will continue with two other medium-grain Clearfield lines that appear superior to CY005 in yield and other traits.
Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist, said he has worked with a polymer-coated urea fertilizer. The coating gradually dissolves, releasing the fertilizer slowly. But Harrell said the product needs more work, although it shows promise. "It’s not quite there yet," Harrell said. According to Linscombe, "It will be another two years before a CL medium grain is widely available."
Clearfield rice, which was developed at the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley, is being grown on almost half of the South’s rice acreage. The LSU AgCenter is testing 22 Clearfield lines across the rice-growing areas of the state.
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