Improvements in rice varieties are likely from the RiceCAP project, a collaboration involving the LSU AgCenter, eight other universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dr. Jim Oard, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, said genetic markers to improve sheath blight resistance and improve milling yields have been found through the research. And he said conventional breeding techniques can use the markers to select for those traits.
"We’re wrappings things up," Oard said, adding the project has been under way for four years and that the work has been extended for one year for the finishing touches.
Other LSU AgCenter scientists who worked on the project include plant breeders Dr. Steve Linscombe and Dr. Xueyan Sha, plant pathologist Dr. Don Groth, molecular geneticist Dr. Herry Utomo and plant pathologist Dr. Chuck Rush.
Oard pointed out, however, that the work of RiceCAP – the Rice Coordinated Agricultural Project – does not mean sheath blight will become a thing of the past.
"It is not a magic bullet," Oard said. "The goal is to keep sheath blight to a minimum level where the farmer won’t have to spray for the disease."
He also said environmental factors will play an important role in milling yields for any rice variety. The potential value of the genetic markers identified during the RiceCAP project is to help develop new varieties with high, stable milling yields across different environmental conditions.
Oard said projects funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board directly and indirectly contributed to the program’s success.
"Without the collaboration with other universities and the USDA, this would not have been possible," he said. –Bruce Schultz
Checkoff funds for this project: $36,000