Upland Rice

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Background

This exploratory project was initiated in the spring of 2022 to evaluate the feasibility of upland rice production in southern Alberta. Trials will use Seed Film Cultivation (SFC) technology to suppress weeds, increase soil temperature, and reduce evaporative moisture losses. Rice grown with SFC will be compared to direct seeded plots and transplanted rice seedlings. Irrigation will be provided by an overhead pivot system or by sub-surface drip irrigation. Plant growth parameters and yield will be assessed, and this work will inform future research required to establish a rice production industry in Alberta. Rice grown using SFC technology reduces the water demand for producing the crop, and perhaps more importantly, reduces the methane (greenhouse gas) associated with flood irrigated rice production.

Project Details

Timeline 2022-2023
Year to Year
Principal Investigator:

Dr. Manjula Bandara (2023)

Dr. Michele Konschuh (2022)
UofL

Lethbridge Project Contact: Mike Gretzinger
Funded By:

Galaxy Ag Ventures

Project Objectives

2022

Determine a suitable method of planting upland rice in Southern Alberta under different types of irrigation.

  • Comparison of two rice varieties for production in southern Alberta. 
  • Comparison of Seed Film Cultivation (SFC) with direct seeded and transplanted rice plots 
  • Compare overhead irrigation by low pressure pivot with sub-surface drip irrigation of plots
  • Identify next steps in the development of the rice industry in Alberta.


2023

Introduce rice as a new field crop species.

  • Assess the impact of seeding date related environmental factors on seedling emergence, growth and crop phenology
  • Impact of plant growth promoter, applied as seed treatment, on seedling emergence, growth and crop phenology

Methods

2022

Locations

Lethbridge center irrigation pivot

Lethbridge sub-surface drip irrigation 

Treatments

Varieties
  • Cham Sodam 
  • RiceTec
Planting method 
  • Direct seed
  • Transplants
  • Seed film cultivation (SFC)
Irrigation type
  • Center irrigation pivot
  • Sub-surface drip


A fertilizer blend of 100 lbs/ac N (46-0-0) and 30 lbs/ac P (11-52-0) was broadcast immediately before planting. The rice was direct seeded at 80 kg/ha which is approximately 364 seeds/m2 (TSW = 22 g/1000 seeds). The transplants were spaced approx. 9” apart as recommended to allow for greater tillering and the seed film utilized a cluster of seeds at each opening of the film (approx. every 9”).

Measurements

  • Soil NPKS
  • Disease/insect pressure
  • Crop emergence
  • Height
  • Days to panicle
  • Tissue analysis
  • Tillering analysis
  • Lodging
  • Seed head development
  • Yield


2023

Treatments

Seeding dates - Target May 1, 10, 20

Air drill vs Precision planter

Growth Promoting Compounds
  • Lethbridge, AB

Brooks, AB

Lacombe, AB
Hailed out in 2015

Popular Press Articles
Experimenting with growing rice in Alberta: Innovation hub Farming Smarter
Could rice be the next crop in southern Alberta?
University of Lethbridge researcher examines viability of rice crops in southern Alberta

 

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211034 Hwy 512, Lethbridge County, AB
T1J 5N9 Canada

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