Rice - RIRDC Completed Projects in 2006--2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007

|| Home || SEARCH|| Contact || Free Research Publications || Eshop || Privacy Statement ||

RIRDC Completed Projects in 2006-2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007
BACK TO INDEX

To Rice Completed Projects

2.3 Rice - Research in Progress

Project No Project Title Researcher Phone Organisation

Varietal improvement & pure seeds maintenance

DAN-212A How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice? Dr Melissa Fitzgerald (02) 6951 2656 NSW Department of Primary Industries

DAN-220A Rice iImprovement II Dr Russell Reinke (02) 6951 2516 NSW Department of Primary Industries

DAN-238A Rice grain quality 4 Dr Arun Aryan (02) 6951 2656 NSW Department of Primary Industries

DAN-243A Rice cold tolerance for yield stability and water-use efficiency Dr Peter Snell (02) 6951 2742 NSW Department of Primary Industries

US-145A Biotechnology approach for precision-breeding of cold-tolerant rice Dr Norman Darvey (02) 9351 8828 The University of Sydney

USC-10A Developing high quality cold tolerant rice varieties using molecular markers Dr Daniel Waters (02) 6620 3443 Southern Cross University

Agronomy/crop physiology

DAN-207A Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology Dr Ranjith Subasinghe (02) 6951 2679 NSW Department of Primary Industries

DAN-248A Understanding, quantifying and managing spatial variability of rice growth and yield Mr Geoff Beecher (02) 6951 2725 NSW Department of Primary Industries

DAN-249A Developing management options to mitigate the straighthead occurrence in rice Dr Ranjith Subasinghe (02) 6951 2679 NSW Department of Primary Industries

Crop protection

AGR-9A Weed management in Australian rice production Mr Malcolm Taylor (03) 5872 2892 Agropraisals Pty Ltd

DAN-240A Management and ecology of key rice pests Dr Mark Stevens (02) 6951 2611 NSW Department of Primary Industries

Sustainable farming systems

CSL-27A Rapid response screening tools for minimising off-site impact of rice pesticides Dr Rai Kookana (08) 8303 8450 CSIRO Land and Water

UCA-11A Reconciling farming with wildlife: monitoring vertebrate biodiversity in the Riverina rice fields Dr Sean Doody (02) 6201 2795 University of Canberra

Technology transfer & communications

DAN-236A Extension for improving rice yields and water use efficiency Mr John Lacy (02) 6951 2738 NSW Department of Primary Industries

RGA-3A Maintaining and enhancing collaboration and linkages with organisations and personnel involved in rice research Dr Laurie Lewin (02) 6955 2205 Rice Growers' Association of Australia

Varietal Improvement & Pure Seeds Maintenance

Project Title: How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice?

RIRDC Project No. DAN-212A

Start Date 01/01/2003

Finish Date 30/06/2008

Researcher Dr Melissa Fitzgerald

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Private Mail Bag
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2656

Fax (02) 6951 2719

Email melissa.fitzgerald@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 Determine molecular structure of starches using techniques of synthetic polymer chemistry
·2 Determine how molecular structure of starch influences physical process during cooking
·3 Determine how molecular structure then influences some sensory properties of cooked rice and rice products
·4 Use a newly developed technique (by the PIs) to measure synthesis of the starch from the molecular weight distribution
·5 Determine the interactions between different structures of starch and different proteins and their role in cooking properties
·6 Define the parameters of the RVA curve using much more technically advanced equipment, and ‘calibrate’ the RVA curve using the new equipment.

Current Progress Molecular weight data is currently being collected on waxy rice varieties by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Analyses of hot water soluble (HWS) and insoluble (HWI) fractions by the new technique devised by the PIs have shown that high viscosity varieties have long amylopectin chains. These long chains were not detected in low viscosity varieties. The new technique has made analysis of longer chains possible. Further analysis of these results show slight differences in the kinetics of chain growth and stoppage of short chains, implying different enzyme activities. High viscosity varieties have less HWS, while low viscosity varieties have more.
The amounts of HWS components, as detected by SEC, seem to be variety-specific. This suggests that HWS can be further developed into a tool that can evaluate different rice varieties into quality classes.
Spectrophotometric tests have shown that these waxy varieties have some reaction with iodine, suggesting that some equivalent of amylose is present in small amounts in these waxy varieties. However, granule-bound starch synthase (the enzyme responsible for producing amylose) is not detected by SDS-PAGE, which suggests that some other enzyme (or an enzyme suite) is responsible for the production of long chains in waxy rice.

Project Title: Rice improvement II

RIRDC Project No. DAN-220A

Start Date 01/07/2003

Finish Date 31/07/2008

Researcher Dr Russell Reinke

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Institute
PMB
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2516

Fax (02) 6955 7580

Email russell.reinke@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 The breeding program exists to respond to rice industry needs for improved cultivars, specifically to address the requirements for environmental sustainability, on-farm profitability, and grain quality for existing and potential markets world-wide. No less important is the objective of ensuring that genetically-pure seed of all existing and new varieties is supplied to the industry annually. A further role that has developed recently is in the provision of appropriate populations for a significant number of RIRDC and Rice CRC-funded research projects.

Current Progress The 2006/2007 rice season was significantly affected by the ongoing drought and consequent lack of irrigation water. On-farm evaluation trials were reduced from 16 to five5 in total, with just two trials in the northern rice growing region and three in the south. Further, tThe trial series encompassing the first stage of multi-environment testing at Deniliquin was abandoned two weeks after sowing due to lack of water. Consequently there are relatively few results to evaluate varietal performance of advanced breeding lines. There were three successful on-farm trials of advanced breeding lines, one trial of breeding lines in preliminary testing, and one late-sown trial of short-season breeding lines.
Given the occurrence of a period low temperatures during microspore development, industry-wide yields remained high, although the newest variety Reiziq had lower yield than Amaroo this season. This was reflected in on-farm trials where Reiziq had greater yield than Amaroo at high-yielding sites (presumably unaffected by cold), but had lower yield than Amaroo at low-yielding sites. The breeding line YRM69 maintained yield levels across sites, consistent with its greater cold tolerance.
Despite the water restrictions, a complete generation of the rice breeding program was conducted at Leeton Field Station, including production of breeders seed and pure seed of all commercial varieties except Doongara, and the advanced breeding lines. Harvest of the rice breeding program trial plots including hand harvest of panicle rows was completed by mid-June.

Project Title: Rice grain quality 4

RIRDC Project No. DAN-238A

Start Date 01/01/2005

Finish Date 31/12/2009

Researcher Dr Arun Aryan

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Insititute
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2656

Fax (02) 6951 2719

Email arun.aryan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·2 To continue to evaluate the quality of rice breeding lines and to improve the program to evaluate quality attributes more precisely and accurately.
·3 To conduct research into grain cracking, retrogradation, gloss of cooked rice, lipid-amylose interactions, starch structure, rheology and fragrance, to understand physical and cooking quality of rice.
· To foster a strong and active collaboration between the Rice Improvement Program at Yanco and Cereal Chemistry and IRRI.

Current Progress There have been significant staff changes in this project in 2007. Dr Arun Aryan completed his contract in March, and the cereal chemist position has been advertised internally within NSW DPI. Further, Technical Officer Hannah Blackburn reduced her working hours to four4 days per week in late 2006, and resigned after a period of leave in May 2007. Consequently, the emphasis within the project has focused on evaluation of breeding lines. From the 2006 harvest a total of 4,886 samples were milled and analysed for the percentage whole grain remaining after milling, and physical grain traits such as chalkiness, colour and grain length and width.
A total of 1,734 F₃-derived F₅ breeding lines were analysed for the molecular marker associated with amylose content and gelatinisation temperature by DSC.
Small research projects carried out by Senior Technical Officer Margrit Martin include a long-term (21 months) storage trial of seven7 varieties under three3 temperature regimes, a glasshouse-based nutrition trial examining the effect of nitrogen application on grain quality, and an investigation into the effect of grinding particle size on measurement of gelatinisation temperature. The section also participated in an international project aimed at standardising the measurement of amylose.

Project Title: Rice cold tolerance for yield stability and water-use efficiency

RIRDC Project No. DAN-243A

Start Date 01/07/2005

Finish Date 30/06/2010

Researcher: Dr Peter Snell

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Research Institute
Private Mail Bag
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2742

Fax (02) 6951 2660

Email peter.snell@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 To use recently established protocols for assessing cold tolerance in rice for accelerated breeding of adapted germplasm which will confer a 3-7 degree C improvement in cold tolerance.
·2 To ensure that cold tolerance is introgressed in backgrounds amenable to the obtainment of higher levels of cold tolerance in the 6six different quality classes of rice currently commercially grown.
·3 To investigate associated gene/s or variation in gene expression exhibit in tolerant germplasm or that in novel genotypes.

Current Progress Of the 678 crosses done as part of the rice improvement program in 2006-2007, 65% were for cold tolerance purposes with 44% being complex crosses (triple and backcrosses). Other glasshouse endeavours were the seed increase of 432 F₁ populations, of which again around half were for cold tolerance purpose. These numbers are unprecedented in the history of the rice improvement program and represent throughput of over more than triple of whatthe amount that was conventionally achieved. Seven field trials were sown over four sowing dates and two locations; RRAPL and LFS. The trials at RRAPL encountered eight8 cold events, six6 from ambient conditions under shallow water, and two2 from cold water produced from the deep dam set up for this purpose. Over 4,600 panicles were tagged allowing positive selection pressure for cold tolerance to be implemented for 35 F₂-F₃ populations and the benchmarking of 75 homozygous lines including standards. Sterilities are still being processed but already there is a clear differentiation between tolerant (80% fertile) and sensitive (50% fertile) lines. Seed increase at LFS and the early sown trial at RRAPL were decimated by ducks close to harvest slowing the progress of this material by a generation.
Further international sources of cold tolerance were obtained this year with material from China (Longdao3, Longdao5 ) coming from collaborators in the December ACIAR workshop, and highland cold tolerant varieties (Lon Thar Hmwe and Pandan wangi) resulting from a recent trip undertaken by Russell Ford to Myanmar and Indonesia. In addition to cold tolerant evaluation, an observation aerobic rice trial was sown at RRAPL this season in an attempt to identify germplasm variation in yield under minimal irrigation. The., results will be presented in August.

Project Title: Biotechnology approach for precision-breeding of cold-tolerant rice

RIRDC Project No. US-145A

Start Date 01-Oct-2006

Finish Date 30-Sep-2009

Researcher: Dr Norman Darvey

Organisation The University of Sydney

Phone (02) 9351 8828

Fax (02) 9351 8875

Email normd@camden.usyd.edu.au

Objectives ·1 Production of doubled haploid (DH) populations and recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from the crosses of 'Reiziq' with several sources of cold tolerant varieties for cold tolerance breeding and molecular marker development.
·2 Phenotyping of DH and RIL populations for cold tolerance.
·3 Improvement of microspore culture system for the production of DH lines for breeding.
·4 Construction of a microarray containing previously identified genes that are differentially expressed between cold-sensitive (Doongara) and cold-tolerant rice (R31, R32) and use this array to screen DH lines or RILs. This array will enable us to identify eQTLs that co-segregate with the tolerance phenotype.
·5 Mapping of the cold-tolerance QTLs of R31 and R32 using populations of RIL and/or DH lines derived from the crosses between Doongara and R31, R32. R31 has so far proven to be recalcitrant to microspore culture, while R32 have shown good regeneration to DH plants. For Doongara X R31, RIL lines will be used for mapping by using micro-satellite markers and microarray-based eQTL mapping. The eQTL method will enable us to precisely map the region of interest on the genome sequence, which is important for subsequent fine-mapping and identification of candidate cold-tolerance genes.
·6 Potential R31 and R32 cold tolerance markers will be verified in the other cold tolerant lines.
·7 DH, RIL populations, and molecular markers for cold tolerance will be provided to the rice breeders in Yanco.
·8 Establishment of microspore culture based DH production system for rice breeding.

Current Progress The project team met at Cobbitty in June to discuss progress (Dr. Zhao, Dr. Dolferus and myself). The rapid generation turnover (Single Seed Descent) populations involving the cold tolerant Chinese lines, R31 and R32 were progressing well and moving into the F4 generation, following which Dr. Dolferus will test them for cold tolerance with molecular markers. Other populations involving the newer Australian cultivar Rizik were responsive to microspore culture, and thus double haploid populations are being developed. After Dr. Zhao left for China on the long weekend, one hydroponic system broke down, and a number of plants were irreparably damaged when inspected on the following Tuesday. This will delay the rapid cycling of this population, which will be resown with reserve seed. Dr. Zhao will return to Australia around 12 July, but will have had important collaborative discussions re cold tolerance of rice with colleagues in China.

Project Title: Developing high quality cold tolerant rice varieties using molecular markers

RIRDC Project No. USC-10A

Start Date 01-Jul-2006

Finish Date 31-July-2009

Researcher: Dr Daniel Waters

Organisation Southern Cross University

Phone (02) 6620 3443

Fax (02) 6622 2080

Email daniel.waters@scu.edu.au

Objectives ·1 To identify regions of the rice genome which control tolerance to cold at the microspore stage of pollen development by applying QTL analysis to M103/Doongara and Doongara/R32 doubled haploid populations that are segregating for cold tolerance. Additional populations will be analysed as they become available. Molecular markers for these genomic regions will be generated and supplied to the breeding program.

Current Progress DArT molecular marker data derived from a sub-set of individuals from within the double haploid M103/Doongara population found a high proportion (around 25%) of DArT alleles that were not present in either of the parents (M103 [cold tolerant] and Doongara [cold sensitive]). This indicates that the doubled haploid population was not derived from a cross of M103 and Doongara. That aside, DNA has been extracted from the entire population and submitted for DArT analysis. A number of these assays failed due to poor quality DNA, and samples are being re-grown to provide a source of high-quality DNA.
Cold tolerance screening was carried out at Yanco on 36 entries selected for a degree of agronomic acceptability. In total, 6 of the lines had equivalent or better cold tolerance than M103, 24 lines were intermediate between Doongara and M103, and the remainder were more susceptible than Doongara.
The Doongara/R32 doubled haploid population is not yet available from the University of Sydney. Other early generation populations from the rice breeding program which have been tested for cold tolerance using modified sowing times will be made available for genotyping in the near future.

Agronomy/Crop Physiology

Project Title: Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology

RIRDC Project No. DAN-207A

Start Date 01/07/2002

Finish Date 30/12/2007

Researcher Dr Ranjith Subasinghe

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Institute
PMB
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2679

Fax (02) 6955 7580

Email Ranjith.Subasinghe@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 Developing screening techniques for rapid early growth, high harvest index and high radiation use efficiency and introducinge these characters from introduced varieties into locally adapted lines.
·2 Extending optimal management options, recently developed for Amaroo, to a range of varieties with special emphasis on nitrogen management.

Current Progress Version 6.3 of "maNage rice" was released to growers during the year. This version contains three new features: (1) Growers’ toolkit, a collection of documents and links from NSW Department of Primary Industries, Sunrice and the Ricegrowers’ Association (2) Images of weeds of rice as a separate section in the Rice Diagnostics section (3) A time-of-sowing calculator that displays predicted yield in relation to sowing date for each year of historical record. This version incorporated last year’s trial results and made corrections to a few errors in the program.
A field trial was conducted in Jerilderie to compare the effect of timing and rate of N application in conventionally irrigated crops and in mid-season drained crops with emphasis onto comparinge nitrogen use efficiencies under two systems and to ascertain the appropriate stage of plant sampling to assess nitrogen status of mid-season drained crops.
A glasshouse experiment was conducted in the headhouse at Yanco at different temperature regimes and seven7 nitrogen levels to determine the effect of nitrogen on cold damage during the reproductive stage.
A fField experiment at Jerilderie resulted in lower yields due to poor establishment. Nevertheless, results indicated that split application of 2/3^rd N at pre-flood and 1/3^rd just before re-irrigation is beneficial in bays with mid-season dry down. Whereas, iIn bays with continuous flooding, the best yields were observed when top dressing was carried out at panicle initiation.
Results of the glasshouse experiment indicated that the temperature regimes imposed were effective in inducing the cold damage in cold susceptible varieties and could be used to screen cultivars for cold tolerance.
However, no conclusion could be made yet as sample and data collection and analysis are being continued.

Project Title: Understanding, quantifying and managing spatial variability of rice growth and yield

RIRDC Project No. DAN-248A

Start Date 01-Aug-2006

Finish Date 31-July-2009

Researcher Mr Geoff Beecher

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries

Phone (02) 6951 2725

Fax (02) 6955 7580

Email geoff.beecher@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·3 To extend the capacity of NIR plant tissue testing, as an aid to fertilizer management, so that crops with significant spatial variability can be managed more efficiently. The capacity of hyperspectral imagery to determine the spatial variability of crop nitrogen uptake and requirements will be evaluated.
·4 This project also aims to understand factors contributing to spatial variability in rice yield and quality so that rice farmers can manage the spatial variability of crop growth and yield to increase input resource (water, land, fertiliser, and energy) productivity and profitability.
·5 The research program aims to use the better resolution of a new FT-NIR instrument to achieve more reliable calibrations for elements such as phosphorus, in plant shoots.

Current Progress Despite initiating field experiments in five fields, the reduced availability of irrigation water due to drought curtailed experiments with one field not being sown and two2 fields being partially dewatered during the growing season.
All fields were EM31 surveyed and soil sampled to 20cm in 10cm increments for nutrient analysis. Across the remaining 4 fields, 21-50 sites were monitored through the growing season for plant establishment, water depth and salinity. Air and water temperature and water depth were continuously monitored at selected sites.
Plant sampling was undertaken at all sites for PI dry matter accumulation and nNitrogen content, total dry matter, grain yield and nitrogen content, grain and stem nutrient analysis and floret sterility. Grain samples have been collected, and stored for milling analysis.
Relationships between readily available existing information – cut and fill maps from landforming operations and electromagnetic conductivity (EM) mapping and crop growth and yield are being explored. Preliminary analysis of yield and soil data from a recently (2 years) landformed field shows the strong influence of "cut" on lowering yield. I; in another field where landforming occurred some eight8 years ago, the influence of "cut and fill" is not apparent. However, a trend for decreasing yield with increasing EM values occurs. Relationships with grower yield mapping from 2006/07 will be investigated.
Due to the low water allocations and associated small area of rice planting in 2006 the use of the airborne Hymap remote sensing platform was not viable and although satellite data from the Hyperion sensor was sought such data was not available from the EO-1 satellite borne Hyperion sensor during 2006/7.
Peter Evans commenced in the Technical Officer position on 7^th May 2007.
A Bruker FT-NIR machine was purchased by Sunrice and located at YAI. Scanning of existing samples (from calibration data set) for comparison with the existing NIRS 6500 instrument has been undertaken, n. As has sStarch analysis of 2005/06 and 2006/07 rice sample subsets for NIR calibration through the existing and new NIR instruments has also been undertaken.

Project Title: Developing management options to mitigate the straighthead occurrence in rice

RIRDC Project No. DAN-249A

Start Date 01-Jul-2006

Finish Date 30-Nov-2007

Researcher Dr Ranjith Subasinghe

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries

Phone (02) 6951 2679

Fax (02) 6955 7580

Email Ranjith.Subasinghe@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 To develop a screening tool which will enable breeders to induce straighthead, on demand, when evaluating new rice genotypes for straighthead tolerance under glasshouse conditions.

Current Progress A glasshouse experiment was conducted in a polyhouse at Yanco in plastic tubs (30 x 30 x 35 cm ) filled with 13.5 kg of red soil using 4 cultivars (Doongara, Jefferson, Amaroo, Reiziq). A total of 22 treatments consisting of a control, a liquid parapin layer on water, and five types of stubble (rice, wheat, barley, canola and pasture) at four levels of incorporation (5, 10, 20, 25 t ha^-1) are being evaluated for straighthead inducement.
Results show that rice, wheat and barley straws can effectively induce straighthead symptoms in susceptible varieties and the method could be successfully used in screening programs for straighthead tolerance in rice. A conclusion will be made after sample and data analyses are completed.

Crop Protection

Project Title: Weed management in Australian rice production

RIRDC Project No. AGR-9A

Start Date 01-Jun-2006

Finish Date 30-Jun-2008

Researcher Mr Malcolm Taylor

Organisation Agropraisals Pty Ltd

Phone (03) 5872 2892

Fax (03) 5872 2838

Email malcolmc.taylor@bigpond.com

Objectives ·2 To develop and demonstrate new herbicide resistance management strategies for direct seeded rice by searching and evaluating new herbicides offering alternate methods of action to those currently in use.

Current Progress Nine replicated field trials were conducted during the 2006/0-7 season in water-seeded medium grain rice to evaluate the efficacy and crop safety of four experimental herbicides (coded AGR-601, AGR-602, AGR-603 and AGR-604).
AGR-601 (HRAC group G) demonstrated insufficient crop safety to water seeded when applied 0-2 leaf stage, whilst efficacy against aquatic broadleaf weeds was poor.
AGR-602 (HRAC group unknown) was combined with AGR-601 to broaden weed spectrum and act as a crop safener. No crop safening was observed to 0-2 leaf rice, nor was there a discernible improvement in weed control efficacy.
AGR-603 (HRAC group unknown) was targeted at grass weeds at the 0-2 leaf stage of rice development. Crop safety was marginal at 1500-3000 gai/ha, whilst barnyard grass was controlled at >500 gai/ha. Combinations of AGR-603 plus benzofenap provided an adequate margin of rice tolerance and effective control of grass, sedge and broadleaf weeds. Differences in field performance of alternate AGR-603 formulations warrant investigations to optimise efficacy.
AGR-604 (HRAC Group G) was targeted at sedge and broadleaf aquatic weeds. Crop safety was acceptable when applied at 200-400 gai/ha to rice at the 2-4 leaf stage of development. Earlier applications proved excessively phytotoxic to water seeded rice.

Project Title: Management and ecology of key rice pests

RIRDC Project No. DAN-240A

Start Date 01/07/2005

Finish Date 31/07/2008

Researcher Dr Mark Stevens

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Institute
Private Mail Bag
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2611

Fax (02) 6951 2719

Email mark.stevens@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 To complete small-scale evaluation of niclosamide and new chlorothalonil formulations for snail control in rice.
·2 To develop new DNA-based techniques to determine which species of bloodworm attack rice during later crop establishment.
·3 To complete small-scale evaluation of imidacloprid as a seed treatment for bloodworm control.

Current Progress Work on alternative chlorothalonil formulations has been completed, and their strong adsorbtion to some soils indicates they are not viable alternatives to copper sulphate. Residue analysis of grain and forage from the 2005/06 niclosamide trial has been repeated to overcome inconsistencies in the initial analyses, and no residues of parent compound or major metabolites were found.
Two primer sets have been selected for use in bloodworm feeding study, and both DNA extraction and PCR protocols have been optimised. Data collection is now underway and the primer set based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene is successfully amplifying rice DNA from rice-fed bloodworms.
Sample analysis from a replicated bloodworm seed treatment trial conducted during the 2006/07 season has been completed, but has provided inconclusive results. Relatively poor bloodworm colonisation early in the trial resulted in poor differentiation between the treatments (2 rates of imidacloprid, a fipronil (Cosmos®) standard, and an untreated control).
A two 2-year stink bug survey was completed in March 2007, with almost six6 times as many bugs collected per crop than in the previous year. Anaxilaus vesiculosus, not previously known to feed on rice, accounted for over 80% of captures. Laboratory studies have shown that this species can complete its entire life cycle on rice crops.

Sustainable Farming Systems

Project Title: Rapid response screening tools for minimising off-site impact of rice pesticides

RIRDC Project No. CSL-27A

Start Date 01-Sep-2006

Finish Date 31-Aug-2009

Researcher Dr Rai Kookana

Organisation CSIRO Land and Water

Phone (08) 8303 8450

Fax (08) 8303 8565

Email Rai.Kookana@csiro.au

Objectives To develop rapid response tools to allow integrated pesticide management strategies leading to the environmental sustainability of rice-farming systems. This will be achieved by: ·4 Developing cost-effective, rapid assessment tools for pesticide detection in the drainage water using a biomarker approach.
·5 Conducting chemical and toxiocological assessment of sediment associated pesticides in the drainage channels.
·1 Enhancing the "clean and green" image of rice production systems through linkages with the Environmental Champions Program.

Current Progress We brought project stakeholders together on the 18^th October, 2006 to identify the current and future issues/needs with respect to pesticide monitoring programmes. The workshop highlighted the significant changes that have occurred over the last decade in pesticide use patterns, chemical management, application methods, crop management, water supply infrastructure and climate and pesticide analysis costs, and called for optimisation of water monitoring programmes.
In this exceptionally dry year we focussed on bioassay aspects and improved the utility of ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assays) by addressing some deficiencies identified by stakeholders. Molinate ELISA kits were calibrated using drainage water samples ranging in salinity and turbidity. We noted that molinate concentrations in drainage water were over-estimated when compared with the standards provided with the kits. The effect seemed to be more closely related to turbidity than salinity. Therefore, a correction factor needs to be applied when using these kits for drainage water monitoring.
A chronic toxicity test was developed for use with Chironomus tepperi. An optimal feeding rate was determined to maximise larval development whilst avoiding the contamination that can result from the decay of excess food. Tests have shown that initiating bioassays with eggs (rather than first-instar larvae) provides equivalent emergence success from uncontaminated sediments. Field samples from drainage systems in the Coleambally area are currently being analysed.

Project Title: Reconciling farming with wildlife: monitoring vertebrate biodiversity in the Riverina rice fields

RIRDC Project No. UCA-11A

Start Date 01/01/2006

Finish Date 31/12/2008

Researcher Dr Sean Doody

Organisation University of Canberra
Applied Ecology Research Group
BELCONNEN ACT 2601

Phone (02) 6201 2795

Fax (02) 6201 5305

Email doody@aerg.canberra.edu.au

Objectives · To adaptively manage and promote existing on-farm vertebrate biodiversity through farm experiments, to support the establishment of guidelines for the improvement of on-farm biodiversity within the rice industry’s Environmental Champions Program (ECP)
· To conduct research and monitoring of selected vertebrate groups in the above experiments to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the ECP’s on-farm management program for vertebrate biodiversity
·1 To conduct ecological research (e.g., understand habitat utilisation on rice farms or the farming matrix) on selected, significant vertebrate species to facilitate on-farm management decisions

Current Progress We are currently monitoring selected vertebrate species in 14 revegetated and control sites (i.e. those that represent revegetated sites prior to planting) on seven ECP farms in order to evaluate the effectiveness of revegetation efforts in terms of increasing vertebrate biodiversity.
We are using the following monitoring techniques: Coverboard arrays to monitor the presence and abundance of snakes, small lizards and frogs. Time-constrained searches to document the presence and to calculate indices of abundance of reptile and frog species. Standardised seasonal bird counts to assess changes in the bird fauna in the revegetated areas. Plus, seasonal frog call counts to determine the species present and to calculate an index of abundance based on calling intensity.
We are also conducting research to (1) estimate the abundance of frogs on rice farms and (2) study their dietary habits in order to determine if they eat rice pests and contribute to pest control. Russell Ford at Old Coree has created experimental rice bays for this research and Sarah Ross, a student at the University of Canberra, is analysing the data for her Honour’s research.
We did a poster presentation at the Rice Field Day 2007 that described this project.

Technology Transfer & Communications

Project Title: Extension for improving rice yields and water use efficiency

RIRDC Project No. DAN-236A

Start Date 01/10/2004

Finish Date 31/07/2007

Researcher: Mr John Lacy

Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Yanco Agricultural Institute
PMB
YANCO NSW 2703

Phone (02) 6951 2738

Fax (02) 6951 2620

Email John.Lacy@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Objectives ·1 To increase rice yields and water use efficiency by 5%. This will be achieved by improving adoption of the early pollen microspore water depth key check by 20%, establishment by 20%, adoption of the nitrogen uptake check by 20% and crop uniformity by 15%.
·2 To assist with the achievement of targets in the environmental champions program.

Current Progress Yield was 13% higher than the 10 year average. Good establishment and favourable seasonal temperatures helped lift yields.
Water productivity estimated at 0.7t/Ml for the MIA was 5% below the 10 year average because of high water use.
Adoption of the plant number check increased by 11% and nitrogen uptake by 16%. Microspore water adoption fell by 9% because of uncertain irrigation supply and high evaporation. The 2006 Ricecheck Recommendations, Rice Crop Protection and Variety Guide and MaNage rice CD were updated and sent to every grower. The number of discussion groups was the same number as the drought affected 2004/05 season of 27 groups.
Attendance at the seven7 rice pre-season meetings of 365 t.Topics included variety update, nitrogen results, MaNage rice, pesticide in drains awareness and low risk profitable strategies.
The rice field day held at RAPPL with half day format attracted 120 people. The frog and aerobic topics contributed to it being one of the best ever field days.
The pilot and retail agronomist update attracted 75 participants.
The area of crops aerial imaged for targeting sampling for the NIR test was about 40 %.
No data was inputed into the Ricecheck database as the new Technical Officer was still being trained in its use.

Project Title: Maintaining and enhancing collaboration and linkages with organisations and personnel involved in rice research

RIRDC Project No. RGA-3A

Start Date 01-Jul-2006

Finish Date 30-Jun-2007

Researcher: Dr Laurie Lewin

Organisation Rice Growers' Association of Australia

Phone (02) 6955 2205

Fax

Email clewin@iinet.net.au

Objectives ·1 To maintain collaborative relationships developed in the Rice CRC, to compile a compendium of related research and to participate in steering committees as directed by the Rice R&D Advisory Committee.

Current ProgressBackground With the termination of the CRC, there were many organizations and groups with important links to the rice industry that would no longer have direct funding links. This project was funded to ensure that the links were maintained where possible and that opportunities for further collaboration were explored.
It was also considered that there may be a need for some involvement in project development for RIRDC, particularly where the projects had some links to past work of the CRC.

Research Tasks under this project included: ·2 Contributions to Chapters 3,6 and 7 of "Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia".
·3 Linkages with past CRC researchers. This particularly involved those working on cold tolerance and included a contribution to the cold tolerance workshop (RGA-4A).
·4 Participation in RIRDC reviews of rice extension and cereal chemistry research.
·5 Assistance with development of RIRDC projects on remote sensing/NIR and weed research.
·6 Liaison with Principal Investigators for RIRDC projects on Rice Physiology, Rice Improvement and Cereal Chemistry.

Outcomes Outcomes from the project included: ·7 Assistance with completion of "Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia".
·8 An effective cold tolerance research program and a successful cold tolerance workshop in December 2006.
·9 The Rice extension review was completed and recommendations made to the RIRDC Rice Research and Development Committee. The Cereal Chemistry review is on-going.
A long and protracted negotiation saw the development of a project combining aspects of remote sensing and the use of NIR for nutrient decisions. A successful weeds project was negotiated.

Implications With the very limited resources for rice research as a consequence of the drought, it is imperative that resources be used as efficiently as possible while the skills developed in the Rice CRC not be lost. This project has enabled these objectives to be fulfilled.

Publications Contributions to ""Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia".

Site map Contact us Feedback Links Disclaimer Privacy Statement

Last updated: July 2007 Copyright © RIRDC 2007
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/comp07/ric2.html

2.3 Rice - Research in Progress
Project No	Project Title		Researcher		Phone		Organisation
Varietal improvement & pure seeds maintenance
DAN-212A	How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice?		Dr Melissa Fitzgerald		(02) 6951 2656		NSW Department of Primary Industries
DAN-220A	Rice iImprovement II		Dr Russell Reinke		(02) 6951 2516		NSW Department of Primary Industries
DAN-238A	Rice grain quality 4		Dr Arun Aryan		(02) 6951 2656		NSW Department of Primary Industries
DAN-243A	Rice cold tolerance for yield stability and water-use efficiency		Dr Peter Snell		(02) 6951 2742		NSW Department of Primary Industries
US-145A	Biotechnology approach for precision-breeding of cold-tolerant rice		Dr Norman Darvey		(02) 9351 8828		The University of Sydney
USC-10A	Developing high quality cold tolerant rice varieties using molecular markers		Dr Daniel Waters		(02) 6620 3443		Southern Cross University
Agronomy/crop physiology
DAN-207A	Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology		Dr Ranjith Subasinghe		(02) 6951 2679		NSW Department of Primary Industries
DAN-248A	Understanding, quantifying and managing spatial variability of rice growth and yield		Mr Geoff Beecher		(02) 6951 2725		NSW Department of Primary Industries
DAN-249A	Developing management options to mitigate the straighthead occurrence in rice		Dr Ranjith Subasinghe		(02) 6951 2679		NSW Department of Primary Industries
Crop protection
AGR-9A	Weed management in Australian rice production		Mr Malcolm Taylor		(03) 5872 2892		Agropraisals Pty Ltd
DAN-240A	Management and ecology of key rice pests		Dr Mark Stevens		(02) 6951 2611		NSW Department of Primary Industries
Sustainable farming systems
CSL-27A	Rapid response screening tools for minimising off-site impact of rice pesticides		Dr Rai Kookana		(08) 8303 8450		CSIRO Land and Water
UCA-11A	Reconciling farming with wildlife: monitoring vertebrate biodiversity in the Riverina rice fields		Dr Sean Doody		(02) 6201 2795		University of Canberra
Technology transfer & communications
DAN-236A		Extension for improving rice yields and water use efficiency		Mr John Lacy		(02) 6951 2738		NSW Department of Primary Industries
RGA-3A		Maintaining and enhancing collaboration and linkages with organisations and personnel involved in rice research		Dr Laurie Lewin		(02) 6955 2205		Rice Growers' Association of Australia

Project Title:	How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice?
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-212A
Start Date	01/01/2003
Finish Date	30/06/2008
Researcher	Dr Melissa Fitzgerald
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2656
Fax	(02) 6951 2719
Email	melissa.fitzgerald@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 Determine molecular structure of starches using techniques of synthetic polymer chemistry ·2 Determine how molecular structure of starch influences physical process during cooking ·3 Determine how molecular structure then influences some sensory properties of cooked rice and rice products ·4 Use a newly developed technique (by the PIs) to measure synthesis of the starch from the molecular weight distribution ·5 Determine the interactions between different structures of starch and different proteins and their role in cooking properties ·6 Define the parameters of the RVA curve using much more technically advanced equipment, and ‘calibrate’ the RVA curve using the new equipment.
Current Progress	Molecular weight data is currently being collected on waxy rice varieties by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Analyses of hot water soluble (HWS) and insoluble (HWI) fractions by the new technique devised by the PIs have shown that high viscosity varieties have long amylopectin chains. These long chains were not detected in low viscosity varieties. The new technique has made analysis of longer chains possible. Further analysis of these results show slight differences in the kinetics of chain growth and stoppage of short chains, implying different enzyme activities. High viscosity varieties have less HWS, while low viscosity varieties have more. The amounts of HWS components, as detected by SEC, seem to be variety-specific. This suggests that HWS can be further developed into a tool that can evaluate different rice varieties into quality classes. Spectrophotometric tests have shown that these waxy varieties have some reaction with iodine, suggesting that some equivalent of amylose is present in small amounts in these waxy varieties. However, granule-bound starch synthase (the enzyme responsible for producing amylose) is not detected by SDS-PAGE, which suggests that some other enzyme (or an enzyme suite) is responsible for the production of long chains in waxy rice.

Project Title:	Rice improvement II
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-220A
Start Date	01/07/2003
Finish Date	31/07/2008
Researcher	Dr Russell Reinke
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2516
Fax	(02) 6955 7580
Email	russell.reinke@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 The breeding program exists to respond to rice industry needs for improved cultivars, specifically to address the requirements for environmental sustainability, on-farm profitability, and grain quality for existing and potential markets world-wide. No less important is the objective of ensuring that genetically-pure seed of all existing and new varieties is supplied to the industry annually. A further role that has developed recently is in the provision of appropriate populations for a significant number of RIRDC and Rice CRC-funded research projects.
Current Progress	The 2006/2007 rice season was significantly affected by the ongoing drought and consequent lack of irrigation water. On-farm evaluation trials were reduced from 16 to five5 in total, with just two trials in the northern rice growing region and three in the south. Further, tThe trial series encompassing the first stage of multi-environment testing at Deniliquin was abandoned two weeks after sowing due to lack of water. Consequently there are relatively few results to evaluate varietal performance of advanced breeding lines. There were three successful on-farm trials of advanced breeding lines, one trial of breeding lines in preliminary testing, and one late-sown trial of short-season breeding lines. Given the occurrence of a period low temperatures during microspore development, industry-wide yields remained high, although the newest variety Reiziq had lower yield than Amaroo this season. This was reflected in on-farm trials where Reiziq had greater yield than Amaroo at high-yielding sites (presumably unaffected by cold), but had lower yield than Amaroo at low-yielding sites. The breeding line YRM69 maintained yield levels across sites, consistent with its greater cold tolerance. Despite the water restrictions, a complete generation of the rice breeding program was conducted at Leeton Field Station, including production of breeders seed and pure seed of all commercial varieties except Doongara, and the advanced breeding lines. Harvest of the rice breeding program trial plots including hand harvest of panicle rows was completed by mid-June.

Project Title:	Rice grain quality 4
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-238A
Start Date	01/01/2005
Finish Date	31/12/2009
Researcher	Dr Arun Aryan
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Insititute YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2656
Fax	(02) 6951 2719
Email	arun.aryan@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·2 To continue to evaluate the quality of rice breeding lines and to improve the program to evaluate quality attributes more precisely and accurately. ·3 To conduct research into grain cracking, retrogradation, gloss of cooked rice, lipid-amylose interactions, starch structure, rheology and fragrance, to understand physical and cooking quality of rice. · To foster a strong and active collaboration between the Rice Improvement Program at Yanco and Cereal Chemistry and IRRI.
Current Progress	There have been significant staff changes in this project in 2007. Dr Arun Aryan completed his contract in March, and the cereal chemist position has been advertised internally within NSW DPI. Further, Technical Officer Hannah Blackburn reduced her working hours to four4 days per week in late 2006, and resigned after a period of leave in May 2007. Consequently, the emphasis within the project has focused on evaluation of breeding lines. From the 2006 harvest a total of 4,886 samples were milled and analysed for the percentage whole grain remaining after milling, and physical grain traits such as chalkiness, colour and grain length and width. A total of 1,734 F₃-derived F₅ breeding lines were analysed for the molecular marker associated with amylose content and gelatinisation temperature by DSC. Small research projects carried out by Senior Technical Officer Margrit Martin include a long-term (21 months) storage trial of seven7 varieties under three3 temperature regimes, a glasshouse-based nutrition trial examining the effect of nitrogen application on grain quality, and an investigation into the effect of grinding particle size on measurement of gelatinisation temperature. The section also participated in an international project aimed at standardising the measurement of amylose.

Project Title:	Rice cold tolerance for yield stability and water-use efficiency
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-243A
Start Date	01/07/2005
Finish Date	30/06/2010
Researcher:	Dr Peter Snell
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Research Institute Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2742
Fax	(02) 6951 2660
Email	peter.snell@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To use recently established protocols for assessing cold tolerance in rice for accelerated breeding of adapted germplasm which will confer a 3-7 degree C improvement in cold tolerance. ·2 To ensure that cold tolerance is introgressed in backgrounds amenable to the obtainment of higher levels of cold tolerance in the 6six different quality classes of rice currently commercially grown. ·3 To investigate associated gene/s or variation in gene expression exhibit in tolerant germplasm or that in novel genotypes.
Current Progress	Of the 678 crosses done as part of the rice improvement program in 2006-2007, 65% were for cold tolerance purposes with 44% being complex crosses (triple and backcrosses). Other glasshouse endeavours were the seed increase of 432 F₁ populations, of which again around half were for cold tolerance purpose. These numbers are unprecedented in the history of the rice improvement program and represent throughput of over more than triple of whatthe amount that was conventionally achieved. Seven field trials were sown over four sowing dates and two locations; RRAPL and LFS. The trials at RRAPL encountered eight8 cold events, six6 from ambient conditions under shallow water, and two2 from cold water produced from the deep dam set up for this purpose. Over 4,600 panicles were tagged allowing positive selection pressure for cold tolerance to be implemented for 35 F₂-F₃ populations and the benchmarking of 75 homozygous lines including standards. Sterilities are still being processed but already there is a clear differentiation between tolerant (80% fertile) and sensitive (50% fertile) lines. Seed increase at LFS and the early sown trial at RRAPL were decimated by ducks close to harvest slowing the progress of this material by a generation. Further international sources of cold tolerance were obtained this year with material from China (Longdao3, Longdao5 ) coming from collaborators in the December ACIAR workshop, and highland cold tolerant varieties (Lon Thar Hmwe and Pandan wangi) resulting from a recent trip undertaken by Russell Ford to Myanmar and Indonesia. In addition to cold tolerant evaluation, an observation aerobic rice trial was sown at RRAPL this season in an attempt to identify germplasm variation in yield under minimal irrigation. The., results will be presented in August.

Project Title:	Biotechnology approach for precision-breeding of cold-tolerant rice
RIRDC Project No.	US-145A
Start Date	01-Oct-2006
Finish Date	30-Sep-2009
Researcher:	Dr Norman Darvey
Organisation	The University of Sydney
Phone	(02) 9351 8828
Fax	(02) 9351 8875
Email	normd@camden.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	·1 Production of doubled haploid (DH) populations and recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from the crosses of 'Reiziq' with several sources of cold tolerant varieties for cold tolerance breeding and molecular marker development. ·2 Phenotyping of DH and RIL populations for cold tolerance. ·3 Improvement of microspore culture system for the production of DH lines for breeding. ·4 Construction of a microarray containing previously identified genes that are differentially expressed between cold-sensitive (Doongara) and cold-tolerant rice (R31, R32) and use this array to screen DH lines or RILs. This array will enable us to identify eQTLs that co-segregate with the tolerance phenotype. ·5 Mapping of the cold-tolerance QTLs of R31 and R32 using populations of RIL and/or DH lines derived from the crosses between Doongara and R31, R32. R31 has so far proven to be recalcitrant to microspore culture, while R32 have shown good regeneration to DH plants. For Doongara X R31, RIL lines will be used for mapping by using micro-satellite markers and microarray-based eQTL mapping. The eQTL method will enable us to precisely map the region of interest on the genome sequence, which is important for subsequent fine-mapping and identification of candidate cold-tolerance genes. ·6 Potential R31 and R32 cold tolerance markers will be verified in the other cold tolerant lines. ·7 DH, RIL populations, and molecular markers for cold tolerance will be provided to the rice breeders in Yanco. ·8 Establishment of microspore culture based DH production system for rice breeding.
Current Progress	The project team met at Cobbitty in June to discuss progress (Dr. Zhao, Dr. Dolferus and myself). The rapid generation turnover (Single Seed Descent) populations involving the cold tolerant Chinese lines, R31 and R32 were progressing well and moving into the F4 generation, following which Dr. Dolferus will test them for cold tolerance with molecular markers. Other populations involving the newer Australian cultivar Rizik were responsive to microspore culture, and thus double haploid populations are being developed. After Dr. Zhao left for China on the long weekend, one hydroponic system broke down, and a number of plants were irreparably damaged when inspected on the following Tuesday. This will delay the rapid cycling of this population, which will be resown with reserve seed. Dr. Zhao will return to Australia around 12 July, but will have had important collaborative discussions re cold tolerance of rice with colleagues in China.

Project Title:	Developing high quality cold tolerant rice varieties using molecular markers
RIRDC Project No.	USC-10A
Start Date	01-Jul-2006
Finish Date	31-July-2009
Researcher:	Dr Daniel Waters
Organisation	Southern Cross University
Phone	(02) 6620 3443
Fax	(02) 6622 2080
Email	daniel.waters@scu.edu.au
Objectives	·1 To identify regions of the rice genome which control tolerance to cold at the microspore stage of pollen development by applying QTL analysis to M103/Doongara and Doongara/R32 doubled haploid populations that are segregating for cold tolerance. Additional populations will be analysed as they become available. Molecular markers for these genomic regions will be generated and supplied to the breeding program.
Current Progress	DArT molecular marker data derived from a sub-set of individuals from within the double haploid M103/Doongara population found a high proportion (around 25%) of DArT alleles that were not present in either of the parents (M103 [cold tolerant] and Doongara [cold sensitive]). This indicates that the doubled haploid population was not derived from a cross of M103 and Doongara. That aside, DNA has been extracted from the entire population and submitted for DArT analysis. A number of these assays failed due to poor quality DNA, and samples are being re-grown to provide a source of high-quality DNA. Cold tolerance screening was carried out at Yanco on 36 entries selected for a degree of agronomic acceptability. In total, 6 of the lines had equivalent or better cold tolerance than M103, 24 lines were intermediate between Doongara and M103, and the remainder were more susceptible than Doongara. The Doongara/R32 doubled haploid population is not yet available from the University of Sydney. Other early generation populations from the rice breeding program which have been tested for cold tolerance using modified sowing times will be made available for genotyping in the near future.

Project Title:	Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-207A
Start Date	01/07/2002
Finish Date	30/12/2007
Researcher	Dr Ranjith Subasinghe
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2679
Fax	(02) 6955 7580
Email	Ranjith.Subasinghe@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 Developing screening techniques for rapid early growth, high harvest index and high radiation use efficiency and introducinge these characters from introduced varieties into locally adapted lines. ·2 Extending optimal management options, recently developed for Amaroo, to a range of varieties with special emphasis on nitrogen management.
Current Progress	Version 6.3 of "maNage rice" was released to growers during the year. This version contains three new features: (1) Growers’ toolkit, a collection of documents and links from NSW Department of Primary Industries, Sunrice and the Ricegrowers’ Association (2) Images of weeds of rice as a separate section in the Rice Diagnostics section (3) A time-of-sowing calculator that displays predicted yield in relation to sowing date for each year of historical record. This version incorporated last year’s trial results and made corrections to a few errors in the program. A field trial was conducted in Jerilderie to compare the effect of timing and rate of N application in conventionally irrigated crops and in mid-season drained crops with emphasis onto comparinge nitrogen use efficiencies under two systems and to ascertain the appropriate stage of plant sampling to assess nitrogen status of mid-season drained crops. A glasshouse experiment was conducted in the headhouse at Yanco at different temperature regimes and seven7 nitrogen levels to determine the effect of nitrogen on cold damage during the reproductive stage. A fField experiment at Jerilderie resulted in lower yields due to poor establishment. Nevertheless, results indicated that split application of 2/3^rd N at pre-flood and 1/3^rd just before re-irrigation is beneficial in bays with mid-season dry down. Whereas, iIn bays with continuous flooding, the best yields were observed when top dressing was carried out at panicle initiation. Results of the glasshouse experiment indicated that the temperature regimes imposed were effective in inducing the cold damage in cold susceptible varieties and could be used to screen cultivars for cold tolerance. However, no conclusion could be made yet as sample and data collection and analysis are being continued.

Project Title:	Understanding, quantifying and managing spatial variability of rice growth and yield
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-248A
Start Date	01-Aug-2006
Finish Date	31-July-2009
Researcher	Mr Geoff Beecher
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries
Phone	(02) 6951 2725
Fax	(02) 6955 7580
Email	geoff.beecher@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·3 To extend the capacity of NIR plant tissue testing, as an aid to fertilizer management, so that crops with significant spatial variability can be managed more efficiently. The capacity of hyperspectral imagery to determine the spatial variability of crop nitrogen uptake and requirements will be evaluated. ·4 This project also aims to understand factors contributing to spatial variability in rice yield and quality so that rice farmers can manage the spatial variability of crop growth and yield to increase input resource (water, land, fertiliser, and energy) productivity and profitability. ·5 The research program aims to use the better resolution of a new FT-NIR instrument to achieve more reliable calibrations for elements such as phosphorus, in plant shoots.
Current Progress	Despite initiating field experiments in five fields, the reduced availability of irrigation water due to drought curtailed experiments with one field not being sown and two2 fields being partially dewatered during the growing season. All fields were EM31 surveyed and soil sampled to 20cm in 10cm increments for nutrient analysis. Across the remaining 4 fields, 21-50 sites were monitored through the growing season for plant establishment, water depth and salinity. Air and water temperature and water depth were continuously monitored at selected sites. Plant sampling was undertaken at all sites for PI dry matter accumulation and nNitrogen content, total dry matter, grain yield and nitrogen content, grain and stem nutrient analysis and floret sterility. Grain samples have been collected, and stored for milling analysis. Relationships between readily available existing information – cut and fill maps from landforming operations and electromagnetic conductivity (EM) mapping and crop growth and yield are being explored. Preliminary analysis of yield and soil data from a recently (2 years) landformed field shows the strong influence of "cut" on lowering yield. I; in another field where landforming occurred some eight8 years ago, the influence of "cut and fill" is not apparent. However, a trend for decreasing yield with increasing EM values occurs. Relationships with grower yield mapping from 2006/07 will be investigated. Due to the low water allocations and associated small area of rice planting in 2006 the use of the airborne Hymap remote sensing platform was not viable and although satellite data from the Hyperion sensor was sought such data was not available from the EO-1 satellite borne Hyperion sensor during 2006/7. Peter Evans commenced in the Technical Officer position on 7^th May 2007. A Bruker FT-NIR machine was purchased by Sunrice and located at YAI. Scanning of existing samples (from calibration data set) for comparison with the existing NIRS 6500 instrument has been undertaken, n. As has sStarch analysis of 2005/06 and 2006/07 rice sample subsets for NIR calibration through the existing and new NIR instruments has also been undertaken.

Project Title:	Developing management options to mitigate the straighthead occurrence in rice
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-249A
Start Date	01-Jul-2006
Finish Date	30-Nov-2007
Researcher	Dr Ranjith Subasinghe
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries
Phone	(02) 6951 2679
Fax	(02) 6955 7580
Email	Ranjith.Subasinghe@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To develop a screening tool which will enable breeders to induce straighthead, on demand, when evaluating new rice genotypes for straighthead tolerance under glasshouse conditions.
Current Progress	A glasshouse experiment was conducted in a polyhouse at Yanco in plastic tubs (30 x 30 x 35 cm ) filled with 13.5 kg of red soil using 4 cultivars (Doongara, Jefferson, Amaroo, Reiziq). A total of 22 treatments consisting of a control, a liquid parapin layer on water, and five types of stubble (rice, wheat, barley, canola and pasture) at four levels of incorporation (5, 10, 20, 25 t ha^-1) are being evaluated for straighthead inducement. Results show that rice, wheat and barley straws can effectively induce straighthead symptoms in susceptible varieties and the method could be successfully used in screening programs for straighthead tolerance in rice. A conclusion will be made after sample and data analyses are completed.

Project Title:	Weed management in Australian rice production
RIRDC Project No.	AGR-9A
Start Date	01-Jun-2006
Finish Date	30-Jun-2008
Researcher	Mr Malcolm Taylor
Organisation	Agropraisals Pty Ltd
Phone	(03) 5872 2892
Fax	(03) 5872 2838
Email	malcolmc.taylor@bigpond.com
Objectives	·2 To develop and demonstrate new herbicide resistance management strategies for direct seeded rice by searching and evaluating new herbicides offering alternate methods of action to those currently in use.
Current Progress	Nine replicated field trials were conducted during the 2006/0-7 season in water-seeded medium grain rice to evaluate the efficacy and crop safety of four experimental herbicides (coded AGR-601, AGR-602, AGR-603 and AGR-604). AGR-601 (HRAC group G) demonstrated insufficient crop safety to water seeded when applied 0-2 leaf stage, whilst efficacy against aquatic broadleaf weeds was poor. AGR-602 (HRAC group unknown) was combined with AGR-601 to broaden weed spectrum and act as a crop safener. No crop safening was observed to 0-2 leaf rice, nor was there a discernible improvement in weed control efficacy. AGR-603 (HRAC group unknown) was targeted at grass weeds at the 0-2 leaf stage of rice development. Crop safety was marginal at 1500-3000 gai/ha, whilst barnyard grass was controlled at >500 gai/ha. Combinations of AGR-603 plus benzofenap provided an adequate margin of rice tolerance and effective control of grass, sedge and broadleaf weeds. Differences in field performance of alternate AGR-603 formulations warrant investigations to optimise efficacy. AGR-604 (HRAC Group G) was targeted at sedge and broadleaf aquatic weeds. Crop safety was acceptable when applied at 200-400 gai/ha to rice at the 2-4 leaf stage of development. Earlier applications proved excessively phytotoxic to water seeded rice.

Project Title:	Management and ecology of key rice pests
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-240A
Start Date	01/07/2005
Finish Date	31/07/2008
Researcher	Dr Mark Stevens
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Institute Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2611
Fax	(02) 6951 2719
Email	mark.stevens@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To complete small-scale evaluation of niclosamide and new chlorothalonil formulations for snail control in rice. ·2 To develop new DNA-based techniques to determine which species of bloodworm attack rice during later crop establishment. ·3 To complete small-scale evaluation of imidacloprid as a seed treatment for bloodworm control.
Current Progress	Work on alternative chlorothalonil formulations has been completed, and their strong adsorbtion to some soils indicates they are not viable alternatives to copper sulphate. Residue analysis of grain and forage from the 2005/06 niclosamide trial has been repeated to overcome inconsistencies in the initial analyses, and no residues of parent compound or major metabolites were found. Two primer sets have been selected for use in bloodworm feeding study, and both DNA extraction and PCR protocols have been optimised. Data collection is now underway and the primer set based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene is successfully amplifying rice DNA from rice-fed bloodworms. Sample analysis from a replicated bloodworm seed treatment trial conducted during the 2006/07 season has been completed, but has provided inconclusive results. Relatively poor bloodworm colonisation early in the trial resulted in poor differentiation between the treatments (2 rates of imidacloprid, a fipronil (Cosmos®) standard, and an untreated control). A two 2-year stink bug survey was completed in March 2007, with almost six6 times as many bugs collected per crop than in the previous year. Anaxilaus vesiculosus, not previously known to feed on rice, accounted for over 80% of captures. Laboratory studies have shown that this species can complete its entire life cycle on rice crops.

Project Title:	Rapid response screening tools for minimising off-site impact of rice pesticides
RIRDC Project No.	CSL-27A
Start Date	01-Sep-2006
Finish Date	31-Aug-2009
Researcher	Dr Rai Kookana
Organisation	CSIRO Land and Water
Phone	(08) 8303 8450
Fax	(08) 8303 8565
Email	Rai.Kookana@csiro.au
Objectives	To develop rapid response tools to allow integrated pesticide management strategies leading to the environmental sustainability of rice-farming systems. This will be achieved by: ·4 Developing cost-effective, rapid assessment tools for pesticide detection in the drainage water using a biomarker approach. ·5 Conducting chemical and toxiocological assessment of sediment associated pesticides in the drainage channels. ·1 Enhancing the "clean and green" image of rice production systems through linkages with the Environmental Champions Program.
Current Progress	We brought project stakeholders together on the 18^th October, 2006 to identify the current and future issues/needs with respect to pesticide monitoring programmes. The workshop highlighted the significant changes that have occurred over the last decade in pesticide use patterns, chemical management, application methods, crop management, water supply infrastructure and climate and pesticide analysis costs, and called for optimisation of water monitoring programmes. In this exceptionally dry year we focussed on bioassay aspects and improved the utility of ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assays) by addressing some deficiencies identified by stakeholders. Molinate ELISA kits were calibrated using drainage water samples ranging in salinity and turbidity. We noted that molinate concentrations in drainage water were over-estimated when compared with the standards provided with the kits. The effect seemed to be more closely related to turbidity than salinity. Therefore, a correction factor needs to be applied when using these kits for drainage water monitoring. A chronic toxicity test was developed for use with Chironomus tepperi. An optimal feeding rate was determined to maximise larval development whilst avoiding the contamination that can result from the decay of excess food. Tests have shown that initiating bioassays with eggs (rather than first-instar larvae) provides equivalent emergence success from uncontaminated sediments. Field samples from drainage systems in the Coleambally area are currently being analysed.

Project Title:	Reconciling farming with wildlife: monitoring vertebrate biodiversity in the Riverina rice fields
RIRDC Project No.	UCA-11A
Start Date	01/01/2006
Finish Date	31/12/2008
Researcher	Dr Sean Doody
Organisation	University of Canberra Applied Ecology Research Group BELCONNEN ACT 2601
Phone	(02) 6201 2795
Fax	(02) 6201 5305
Email	doody@aerg.canberra.edu.au
Objectives	· To adaptively manage and promote existing on-farm vertebrate biodiversity through farm experiments, to support the establishment of guidelines for the improvement of on-farm biodiversity within the rice industry’s Environmental Champions Program (ECP) · To conduct research and monitoring of selected vertebrate groups in the above experiments to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the ECP’s on-farm management program for vertebrate biodiversity ·1 To conduct ecological research (e.g., understand habitat utilisation on rice farms or the farming matrix) on selected, significant vertebrate species to facilitate on-farm management decisions
Current Progress	We are currently monitoring selected vertebrate species in 14 revegetated and control sites (i.e. those that represent revegetated sites prior to planting) on seven ECP farms in order to evaluate the effectiveness of revegetation efforts in terms of increasing vertebrate biodiversity. We are using the following monitoring techniques: Coverboard arrays to monitor the presence and abundance of snakes, small lizards and frogs. Time-constrained searches to document the presence and to calculate indices of abundance of reptile and frog species. Standardised seasonal bird counts to assess changes in the bird fauna in the revegetated areas. Plus, seasonal frog call counts to determine the species present and to calculate an index of abundance based on calling intensity. We are also conducting research to (1) estimate the abundance of frogs on rice farms and (2) study their dietary habits in order to determine if they eat rice pests and contribute to pest control. Russell Ford at Old Coree has created experimental rice bays for this research and Sarah Ross, a student at the University of Canberra, is analysing the data for her Honour’s research. We did a poster presentation at the Rice Field Day 2007 that described this project.

Project Title:	Extension for improving rice yields and water use efficiency
RIRDC Project No.	DAN-236A
Start Date	01/10/2004
Finish Date	31/07/2007
Researcher:	Mr John Lacy
Organisation	NSW Department of Primary Industries Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone	(02) 6951 2738
Fax	(02) 6951 2620
Email	John.Lacy@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To increase rice yields and water use efficiency by 5%. This will be achieved by improving adoption of the early pollen microspore water depth key check by 20%, establishment by 20%, adoption of the nitrogen uptake check by 20% and crop uniformity by 15%. ·2 To assist with the achievement of targets in the environmental champions program.
Current Progress	Yield was 13% higher than the 10 year average. Good establishment and favourable seasonal temperatures helped lift yields. Water productivity estimated at 0.7t/Ml for the MIA was 5% below the 10 year average because of high water use. Adoption of the plant number check increased by 11% and nitrogen uptake by 16%. Microspore water adoption fell by 9% because of uncertain irrigation supply and high evaporation. The 2006 Ricecheck Recommendations, Rice Crop Protection and Variety Guide and MaNage rice CD were updated and sent to every grower. The number of discussion groups was the same number as the drought affected 2004/05 season of 27 groups. Attendance at the seven7 rice pre-season meetings of 365 t.Topics included variety update, nitrogen results, MaNage rice, pesticide in drains awareness and low risk profitable strategies. The rice field day held at RAPPL with half day format attracted 120 people. The frog and aerobic topics contributed to it being one of the best ever field days. The pilot and retail agronomist update attracted 75 participants. The area of crops aerial imaged for targeting sampling for the NIR test was about 40 %. No data was inputed into the Ricecheck database as the new Technical Officer was still being trained in its use.

Project Title:	Maintaining and enhancing collaboration and linkages with organisations and personnel involved in rice research
RIRDC Project No.	RGA-3A
Start Date	01-Jul-2006
Finish Date	30-Jun-2007
Researcher:	Dr Laurie Lewin
Organisation	Rice Growers' Association of Australia
Phone	(02) 6955 2205
Fax
Email	clewin@iinet.net.au
Objectives	·1 To maintain collaborative relationships developed in the Rice CRC, to compile a compendium of related research and to participate in steering committees as directed by the Rice R&D Advisory Committee.
Current ProgressBackground	With the termination of the CRC, there were many organizations and groups with important links to the rice industry that would no longer have direct funding links. This project was funded to ensure that the links were maintained where possible and that opportunities for further collaboration were explored. It was also considered that there may be a need for some involvement in project development for RIRDC, particularly where the projects had some links to past work of the CRC.
Research	Tasks under this project included: ·2 Contributions to Chapters 3,6 and 7 of "Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia". ·3 Linkages with past CRC researchers. This particularly involved those working on cold tolerance and included a contribution to the cold tolerance workshop (RGA-4A). ·4 Participation in RIRDC reviews of rice extension and cereal chemistry research. ·5 Assistance with development of RIRDC projects on remote sensing/NIR and weed research. ·6 Liaison with Principal Investigators for RIRDC projects on Rice Physiology, Rice Improvement and Cereal Chemistry.
Outcomes	Outcomes from the project included: ·7 Assistance with completion of "Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia". ·8 An effective cold tolerance research program and a successful cold tolerance workshop in December 2006. ·9 The Rice extension review was completed and recommendations made to the RIRDC Rice Research and Development Committee. The Cereal Chemistry review is on-going. A long and protracted negotiation saw the development of a project combining aspects of remote sensing and the use of NIR for nutrient decisions. A successful weeds project was negotiated.
Implications	With the very limited resources for rice research as a consequence of the drought, it is imperative that resources be used as efficiently as possible while the skills developed in the Rice CRC not be lost. This project has enabled these objectives to be fulfilled.
Publications	Contributions to ""Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia".