The Louisiana State University AgCenter’s Rice Research Station has been around in some form or capacity since 1909. In that time the research station has conducted significant, progressive research and development of rice varieties that have helped rice production in the United States stay “viable,” according to an article in the Delta Farm Press.Located on a 60 acre plot of land, the research station was the combined brain child of the city of Crowley (the station is located on the west side of the city), the United States Department of Agriculture, the Louisiana Agriculture Experiment Station, and local rice farmers. Through their cooperative effort the rice research station was born and in its 100 years its scientists have developed 42 rice varieties that have helped farmers in the United States compete in the world market.
As the Delta Farm Press reports, much of the work done in the beginning mirrors the work done at the research station today:
The first few varieties to be released — Colusa, Fontana, and Acadia — were
selections from lines that had been brought in from other areas. After the
program had been in existence for a while, they started making artificial
hybridizations and crosses and going through segregating generations to develop
new genetic combinations very similar to things we’re doing today.
One can almost be certain the work done at the research center will remain valuable for American rice farmers for some time.
To visit the website for the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station click here.
To read the Delta Farm Press article about the research station click here.
To visit the website for the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station click here.
To read the Delta Farm Press article about the research station click here.
Posted: 08/06/09
