Louisiana Rice Notes, May 2020
Most of the rice in southwest Louisiana which was drill-seeded in early March is at or near green ring this week. Earlier drill-seeded rice and water-seeded rice is at panicle differentiation (1/2-inch internode elongation) to early boot. Rice planting in northeast Louisiana was delayed in most areas this year due to wet conditions but planting wrapped up last week and most growers are reporting good stands.
Early planted rice in south Louisiana has faced very little diversity this year so far, save a few cold spells which slowed growth and caused some wind damage. We did see some more drastic stress symptoms in rice where herbicides and the permanent flood were applied just prior to the cold spells. Rice quickly recovered in most cases after a few days of warmer weather and good growing conditions. Other than that, this year’s crop looks great and we have a higher yield potential this year than we have seen in the past several years at this point in the season.