HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wells, B. R. Articles by Gilmour, J. T. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wells, B. R. Articles by Gilmour, J. T. Agricola Articles by Wells, B. R. Articles by Gilmour, J. T.

Sterility in Rice Cultivars as Influenced by MSMA Rate and Water Management¹

In recent years an expansion of rice (Oryza sativa L.) acreage in Arkansas has resulted in rice being produced on soils with a history of cotton production. Most of these cotton soils have had repeated applications of monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) as a herbicide. There is some evidence that arsenical residues in the soil can lead to sterility in rice. In an effort to answer this question, we conducted a field experiment on a Crowley silt loam soil (Typic Albaqualf) in 1975 to evaluate the influence of MSMA on plant growth and yield of rice. Treatments included two water management regimes (continuous flood vs. one drain and dry), three levels of MSMA [O, 1.1, and 11.2 kg/ha of arsenic (As)] and 15 rice cultivars and experimental strains differing in susceptibility to straighthead disease (abnormally developed or sterile flowers resulting in reduced grain yields).

Soil samples taken 65 days after arsenic application showed that As remained in the rice root zone. Vegetative growth prior to panicle initiation was not affected by any of the treatments; however, visual observations made near maturity showed that where MSMA had induced sterility, the plants were dark green suggestive of straighthead. Reproductive growth as shown by panicle weights and sterility ratings was affected most by high MSMA rates and continuous flooding. Under continuous flood, panicle weights were reduced and sterility ratings increased as MSMA rate increased. This effect was more pronounced in cultivars most susceptible to straighthead and was minimized by draining the flood and drying the soil. This data suggests that the MSMA residues induced straighthead. A significant and similar relationship was found between panicle weights and sterility ratings at maturity for both water management regimes.

Key Words: Organic arsenicals • Straighthead • Cultivar resistance • Vegetative growth • Reproductive growth • Panicle development • Oryza sativa L.

² Professor, Rice Branch Exp. Stn., and associate professor, Agronomy Dep., respectively.

Received for publication July 6, 1976.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Yan, H. A. Agrama, N. A. Slaton, and J. W. Gibbons Soil and Plant Minerals Associated with Rice Straighthead Disorder Induced by Arsenic Agron. J., October 21, 2008; 100(6): 1655 - 1661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Belefant-Miller and T. Beaty Distribution of Arsenic and Other Minerals in Rice Plants Affected by Natural Straighthead Agron. J., November 1, 2007; 99(6): 1675 - 1681. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Yan, R. H. Dilday, T. H. Tai, J. W. Gibbons, R. W. McNew, and J. N. Rutger Differential Response of Rice Germplasm to Straighthead Induced by Arsenic Crop Sci., May 27, 2005; 45(4): 1223 - 1228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]