About this Session

Keys Fertilization of Hybrid and Pureline Rice Cultivars with Potassium

Presented by: Dr. Trenton L. Roberts
Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, University of Arkansas

Rice is an important component of many crop rotations across the Mid-south and for many states such as Arkansas, hybrid rice cultivars account for roughly half of the acres produced to rice. Recent work at the University of Arkansas has identified a stark difference in the response of hybrid rice to potassium (K) fertilization compared to pureline cultivars. On soils with very low and low soil test K, where we see highly significant increases in pureline rice yields with K fertilization, we see no yield increases for hybrid rice on these same soils. These findings suggest that hybrid rice does a better job of exploring the soil and scavenging nutrients, but also may be mining soil nutrients at a faster rate. Further research is needed to identify the rate at which hybrid rice removes K from a production system and whether or not K fertilization rates need to be adjusted to account for the differences in nutrient demand across rice cultivars.

Rice Fertility Programs and Experiences

Presented by: Sterling Clifton
Arkansas Consultant: Rice, Clifton Agronomics Inc.
I will discuss my experiences as consultant of nearly 30 years with rice fertility programs over a range of soil types and production levels and regimes.
I will focus mostly on Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Zinc, as well as liming and pH issues.
It will be based around a proactive approach using intensive precision sampling, variable rate fertilizer applications and centered years of experience and guided by years of University research, data and recommendations.
Clifton holds a bachelor’s degree in plant science and agronomy from Arkansas State University. He grew up working on a farm for his uncle.