By Bruce Schultz
LSU AgCenter
Cool weather is taking its toll on young rice plants in south Louisiana while north Louisiana farmers are still waiting for fields to be dry enough for planting.
Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist, said rice plant health will improve with warmer weather. He said a seedling blight fungus has been found in some fields.
“The cool, wet soils have caused it to be more prolific,” said Harrell. “We have some stands that have been thinned. Typically, the rice will grow out of it.”
Harrell said the cool weather has stressed plants that have zinc deficiency. He said the problem can be remedied with applying zinc to the fields.