Rice Farming

Three new rice varieties, released by the University of Arkansas in 2003, are vying for position in upcoming rice production systems. The new varieties were given to seed producers in 2004 for registered seed production and are now available to producers for the upcoming growing season.

Banks
Banks is a long-grain, mid-season rice developed through Dr. Karen Moldenhauer’s breeding program. Having a large percentage of LaGrue in its parentage, Banks was bred to have yield potential like LaGrue, but with improved blast resistance. It combines the rice blast resistance found on Ahrent, Drew and Kaybonnet.

UA Extension rice specialist Chuck Wilson describes Banks as a high-yielding variety with yield potential comparable to or better than some of the conventional varieties like Wells and Francis. It also has resistance to most of the predominant races of blast in Arkansas.

“It is a little tall, but it is a good variety with good yield potential and a very good choice in areas where there is a risk of blast,” Wilson says.

In fact, Randy Woodard of Cache River Valley Seed in Cache, Ark., says his fields of Banks yielded an average of 185 dry bushels.

But the fact that Banks is a little tall—44 to 45 inches—may be hard for some producers to swallow.

John Greer, a grower with Burnseed Farms, also in Cache, Ark., fertilized his Banks heavily in 2004.

Despite its height, he experienced zero lodging.

“I think Banks definitely has a place where there is a blast problem and where you have big levees that are hard to get across with the wider headers in the shorter varieties,” Greer says.

Cybonnet
Cybonnet is a long-grain semi-dwarf variety with similar yield and milling characteristics as Cocodrie.

Derived from a cross of Cypress, Newbonnet and Katy, it is the first semi-dwarf long-grain released by the University of Arkansas. And according to Wilson, “It is going to be one of the best milling varieties that we have available.”

Cybonnet does not have the high oil bran that is often found in Cocodrie and also has improved straighthead tolerance.

Dr. James Gibbons, breeder of Cybonnet in Stuttgart, Ark., says the major breeding objective was to get high quality and blast resistance.

“One of the strengths of Cybonnet is the disease package,” Gibbons says. “Along with its blast resistance, it also has reasonably good straighthead tolerance. It is, however, very susceptible to sheath blight.”

Wilson believes that Cybonnet, compared to Cocodrie, “is going to be a better fit on soils that have a potential for blast and straighthead.”

But its yield potential is not quite as high as some other varieties. Rice producer Greer says his Cybonnet looks like it is going to have excellent milling. He did not have any disease problems and had good seedling vigor. At a planting rate of 39 pounds per acre, he cut 164 dry bushels per acre.

“Although the yield is not outstanding, the big advantage of Cybonnet is the blast tolerance and the milling,” Greer says.

Medark
Medark is a new high-yielding medium-grain variety that is an alternative to Bengal. It also offers more resistance to blast, sheath rot, brown spot and straighthead than Bengal.

Gibbons says that Medark is derived from Bengal and Short Rico to get a better quality of rice for producers. It has comparable yield potential and milling potential as Bengal with excellent seedling vigor.

Wilson encourages growers to plant newly released varieties on a small acreage to evaluate performance on local soil types and under specific management practices to find the best fit for each variety.

For questions or comments about this article, contact Rice Farming editor Vicky Boyd at (209) 571-0414 or vlboyd@att.net.

Internet Hotlinks

University of Arkansas rice variety performance trails, 2002-2004
http://www.aragriculture.org/cropsoilwtr/rice/PerfTrials/arpt0204.pdf

Choices, choices, choices Arkansas offers two new long grains, one medium grain to help boost your bottom line
By Shannon Holman
Three new rice varieties, released by the University of Arkansas in 2003, are vying for position in upcoming rice production systems. The new varieties were given to seed producers in 2004 for registered seed production and are now available to producers for the upcoming growing season. Banks Banks is a long-grain, mid-season rice developed through Dr. Karen Moldenhauer’s breeding program. Having a large percentage of LaGrue in its parentage, Banks was bred to have yield potential like LaGrue, but with improved blast resistance. It combines the rice blast resistance found on Ahrent, Drew and Kaybonnet. UA Extension rice specialist Chuck Wilson describes Banks as a high-yielding variety with yield potential comparable to or better than some of the conventional varieties like Wells and Francis. It also has resistance to most of the predominant races of blast in Arkansas. “It is a little tall, but it is a good variety with good yield potential and a very good choice in areas where there is a risk of blast,” Wilson says. In fact, Randy Woodard of Cache River Valley Seed in Cache, Ark., says his fields of Banks yielded an average of 185 dry bushels. But the fact that Banks is a little tall—44 to 45 inches—may be hard for some producers to swallow. John Greer, a grower with Burnseed Farms, also in Cache, Ark., fertilized his Banks heavily in 2004. Despite its height, he experienced zero lodging. “I think Banks definitely has a place where there is a blast problem and where you have big levees that are hard to get across with the wider headers in the shorter varieties,” Greer says. Cybonnet Cybonnet is a long-grain semi-dwarf variety with similar yield and milling characteristics as Cocodrie. Derived from a cross of Cypress, Newbonnet and Katy, it is the first semi-dwarf long-grain released by the University of Arkansas. And according to Wilson, “It is going to be one of the best milling varieties that we have available.” Cybonnet does not have the high oil bran that is often found in Cocodrie and also has improved straighthead tolerance. Dr. James Gibbons, breeder of Cybonnet in Stuttgart, Ark., says the major breeding objective was to get high quality and blast resistance. “One of the strengths of Cybonnet is the disease package,” Gibbons says. “Along with its blast resistance, it also has reasonably good straighthead tolerance. It is, however, very susceptible to sheath blight.” Wilson believes that Cybonnet, compared to Cocodrie, “is going to be a better fit on soils that have a potential for blast and straighthead.” But its yield potential is not quite as high as some other varieties. Rice producer Greer says his Cybonnet looks like it is going to have excellent milling. He did not have any disease problems and had good seedling vigor. At a planting rate of 39 pounds per acre, he cut 164 dry bushels per acre. “Although the yield is not outstanding, the big advantage of Cybonnet is the blast tolerance and the milling,” Greer says. Medark Medark is a new high-yielding medium-grain variety that is an alternative to Bengal. It also offers more resistance to blast, sheath rot, brown spot and straighthead than Bengal. Gibbons says that Medark is derived from Bengal and Short Rico to get a better quality of rice for producers. It has comparable yield potential and milling potential as Bengal with excellent seedling vigor. Wilson encourages growers to plant newly released varieties on a small acreage to evaluate performance on local soil types and under specific management practices to find the best fit for each variety. For questions or comments about this article, contact Rice Farming editor Vicky Boyd at (209) 571-0414 or vlboyd@att.net. Internet Hotlinks University of Arkansas rice variety performance trails, 2002-2004 http://www.aragriculture.org/cropsoilwtr/rice/PerfTrials/arpt0204.pdf
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