STUTTGART — More than 40 growers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals received in-depth training on identifying and controlling various diseases commonly found in rice last week at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Rice Research and Extension Center.
With between 1.2 million and 1.5 million acres of rice planted in the state each year, Arkansas provides about half of the United States’ rice production. Knowing how to identify and control common pests and diseases is key to protecting and maximizing that investment.
Camila Nicolli, extension plant pathologist and assistant professor for the Division of Agriculture, organized the July 9 Rice Disease Training workshop. In addition to multiple speakers and slideshow demonstrations, Nicolli provided numerous samples of potted rice plants, affected with various diseases, for attendees to examine up close.
“Disease identification can be determined by shape and coloration of the lesions,” Nicolli said. “But control is a combination of information that will give you the best management — identifying the right disease, host resistance and the right fungicide product.”