This year's LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station web log begins with the planting yesterday (March 29) of a 9.5-acre field near the station's rice bins. It's the same field featured in 2006, this blog's first year.The field was planted with the medium-grain variety Jupiter, developed by the LSU AgCenter and released in 2005.
The seeding rate was 26 pounds per acre and the seed was treated with Dermacor for rice water weevil control, gibberillic acide to promote early growth and dithane fungicide.
Research associated Shane Theunissen is driving the tractor, shown above, pulling the seed drill. Larry White, manager of the foundation seed program at the station, said the seed is being planted at a depth of about three-quarters of an ince.
If all goes well, harvest should take place in early August. You can watch the crop's progress by using the link on the right side of this screen that directs you to a web camera installed near the field.
In the picture below, Davis Dautreuil, LSU AgCenter technology ace, is shown preparing the webcam.
