Key Considerations for Rice Growers

WATER AND SOIL REQUIREMENTS

Rice requires a very wet environment. In fact, in the U.S., rice is grown in a wet, flooded pool — an environment that would drown most other plants.

As water is crucial for rice crops, land should be leveled to ensure proper water use. Ideally, soil should have a good water-holding capacity and an adequate amount of clay and organic matter. However, rice can be grown in a wide range of soil types, as long as proper nutrient management practices are in place.

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT & OTHER GROWING CONSIDERATIONS

In addition to needing high levels of water, rice also requires lots of sunlight and a high, subtropical temperature. For optimal growth, rice needs to take in certain nutrients at specific times throughout the season, so fertilizer application timing is key.

Rice is sensitive to pest pressures, so pest management should be top-of-mind all season

Key Nutrients

• Nitrogen — Key for rapid growth as well as grain yield and quality, and typically split applied throughout the season based on need.
• Phosphorus — Applied at the beginning of the season to improve root development, early flowering and ripening.
• Potassium — Important for root growth and plant vigor, and also helps increase resistance to pests and disease. Typically split applied throughout the season.
• Zinc — A zinc deficiency can limit rice plant growth. Should be applied after last puddling.