Water Management and Nitrogen Fertilization of Ratoon Crop Rice¹

Abstract

Abstract Ratoon cropping of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) offers the opportunity to obtain an additional grain crop with minimal input on land which may otherwise not be utilized during that period of time. Field experiments were conducted for 3 years to determine the effect of two water management systems and N fertilization on the yield and milling quality of ratoon crop rice. The experiments were conducted on a Crowley silt loam (Typic Albaqualf) soil. Applying a shallow (5 to 8 cm) continuous flood immediately after harvest of the planted crop was superior to a series of short‐term floodings to provide adequate moisture for regrowth, followed by a continuous flood when the ratoon tillers were 10 to 15 cm tall (approximately 4 weeks after planting). Grain yield averaged 68% higher where the immediate flood was applied. Under both water management regimes a significant increase in plant height and grain yield was observed when N fertilizer was applied. No significant effects of water management or N on grain milling quality were observed.