B.R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2020

Arkansas is the leading rice producer in the United States. The state represents 47.5% of total U.S. rice production and 48.1% of the total acres planted to rice in 2020. Rice cultural practices vary across the state and across the U.S. However, these practices are also dynamic and continue to evolve in response to changing political, environmental, and economic times. This survey was initiated in 2002 to monitor and record changes in the way Arkansas rice producers approach their livelihood. The survey was conducted by polling county extension agents in each of the counties in Arkansas that produce rice. Questions included topics such as tillage practices, water sources and irrigation methods, seeding methods, and precision leveling. Information from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Degree-Day 50 (DD50) Rice Management Program was included to summarize variety acreage distribution across Arkansas. Other data were obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Efficacy of dermacor-X-100® seed treatment against diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on rice

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which attacks sugarcane, corn, sorghum, sudan grass and rice, is a major agronomic pest in the southeastern United States. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of different rates of Dermacor-X-100® (active ingredient, chlorantraniliprole) seed treatments on D. saccharalis in rice in the laboratory, greenhouse and field. In laboratory assays using cut stems, Dermacor-X-100® resulted in 40-50% more mortality than in the control, while in greenhouse intact plant assays Dermacor-X-100® resulted in approximately 70-80% higher mortality compared to controls. In the field study, Dermacor-X-100® seed treatment resulted in significantly lower numbers of borer entry and exit holes per plant. Results from this study suggest that Dermacor-X-100® seed treatment could be used as a valuable component of integrated pest management program for stem borers in Louisiana rice. As the boring behavior of larvae, life cycle and injury caused by most stem borers are generally similar, and because the active ingredient in Dermacor-X-100® is highly efficacious against lepidopteran pests, results for D. saccharalis may extend to management of other stem boring species as well

Transcriptome profiling analysis of the seagrass, Zostera muelleri under copper stress

Copper (Cu) in an essential trace metal but it can also contaminate coastal waters at high concentrations mainly from agricultural run-off and mining activities which are detrimental to marine organisms including seagrasses. The molecular mechanisms driving Cu toxicity in seagrasses are not clearly understood yet. Here, we investigated the molecular responses of the Australian seagrass, Z. muelleri at the whole transcriptomic level after 7 days of exposure to 250 μg Cu L and 500 μg Cu L. The leaf-specific whole transcriptome results showed a concentration-dependent disturbance in chloroplast function, regulatory stress responses and defense mechanisms. This study provided new insights into the responses of seagrasses to trace metal stress and reports possible candidate genes which can be considered as biomarkers to improve conservation and management of seagrass meadows