Tag: farming

How Organic Farming Practices Revive Soil Health and Microbial Diversity: Evidence from DNA Studies

Picture – RhizeBio.com (Decoding Nutrient Availability with DNA Soil Testing for Agriculture)

In recent years, scientific advances in DNA sequencing have allowed us to delve deeper into the hidden world of soil microbiomes—complex ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that play a crucial role in soil health. For certified organic farms, where soil vitality is central to crop productivity, DNA testing has become a powerful tool to track the rejuvenation of soil microbial life. Here are several case studies and research examples showing how organic practices can bring “dead” or degraded soils back to life, backed by peer-reviewed studies and long-term trials.

1. Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial (FST)

The Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial (FST) in Pennsylvania, one of the longest-running studies of its kind, has provided compelling evidence on how organic practices restore microbial life in soils. Comparing conventional and organic farming systems, the trial found that organic soils had higher microbial diversity and biomass, which supported better nutrient cycling, drought resilience, and overall soil health. This microbial community improvement was observed within just a few years of organic management.

  • Supporting Study: Rodale Institute. (2021). Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial: 40-Year Report. Retrieved from: https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/farming-systems-trial/
  • Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N., & Foley, J. A. (2012). Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature, 485(7397), 229-232. doi:10.1038/nature11069

2. University of California, Davis – Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility

At the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility, part of UC Davis, researchers compared organic and conventional farming systems to understand their impact on soil health. DNA sequencing revealed that organic plots contained a significantly higher abundance of beneficial microbes, such as Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, which are essential for decomposing organic matter and supplying nutrients to plants. Improvements in microbial diversity were observed within three years, showing how quickly organic management can enhance soil life.

  • Supporting Study: Bowles, T. M., Acosta-Martínez, V., Calderón, F., & Jackson, L. E. (2014). Soil enzyme activities, microbial communities, and carbon and nitrogen availability in organic agroecosystems across an intensively managed agricultural landscape. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 68, 252-262. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.10.004
  • University of California, Davis. Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility. Retrieved from: https://russellranch.ucdavis.edu

3. USDA-ARS Study on Organic Transition in Salinas Valley, California

In California’s Salinas Valley, a USDA-ARS study focused on soil health during the transition from conventional to organic practices. DNA analysis was used to track microbial changes over time, showing that organic practices led to increased populations of beneficial organisms like Pseudomonas (known for disease suppression) and mycorrhizal fungi (which assist in nutrient uptake). Even heavily degraded fields showed signs of microbial recovery within three to five years under organic management.

The graph below illustrates how microbial diversity increased over several years under organic management, similar to what was observed in the USDA-ARS study in the Salinas Valley.

  • Supporting Study: Schmidt, J. E., Gaudin, A. C. M., & Scow, K. M. (2018). Cover cropping and no-till increase diversity and symbiotrophratios of soil fungal communities. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 129, 99-109. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2018.10.010
  • USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). Retrieved from: https://www.ars.usda.gov

4. The DOK Trial in Switzerland (FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)

The DOK trial in Switzerland, a long-term study by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), compares biodynamic, organic, and conventional systems. DNA sequencing and microbial analysis have shown that the organic and biodynamic plots consistently feature higher microbial diversity and functionality. Within the first few years, these systems already showed greater resilience and microbial activity compared to conventional plots, highlighting the role of organic practices in fostering a healthy, living soil ecosystem.

  • Supporting Study: Mäder, P., Fließbach, A., Dubois, D., Gunst, L., Fried, P., & Niggli, U. (2002). Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming. Science, 296(5573), 1694-1697. doi:10.1126/science.1071148
  • FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. DOK Trial: Long-Term Farming Systems Comparison in Switzerland. Retrieved from: https://www.fibl.org

5. Organic Almond and Grape Vineyards in California

In California, several almond and grape vineyards that transitioned to organic practices have used DNA analysis to monitor soil microbial changes. Within a few years, they reported a rise in beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and reduced pathogen levels, signaling a healthier, more resilient soil system. DNA sequencing tracked these positive shifts, confirming that organic management can replace harmful microbes with beneficial ones in soil over time.

  • Supporting Study: Steenwerth, K. L., & Belina, K. M. (2008). Cover crops enhance soil organic matter, carbon dynamics and microbiological function in a vineyard agroecosystem. Applied Soil Ecology, 40(2), 359-369. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2008.06.006
  • Hannula, S. E., & van Veen, J. A. (2016). The role of AM fungi in organic agriculture. Applied Soil Ecology, 96, 64-72. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.05.011

The Role of DNA Analysis in Understanding Soil Revival

DNA analysis has been a game-changer in soil science, allowing researchers to observe the specific microbial changes that occur when fields transition from conventional to organic management. By tracking shifts in microbial diversity and function, DNA testing provides clear, measurable evidence of how organic practices promote a healthy, balanced soil microbiome.

These studies illustrate that soil health restoration is achievable within a relatively short time under organic practices. While soils subjected to long-term conventional management may initially appear “dead” or lacking in microbial diversity, the examples above demonstrate that organic farming can foster microbial resilience and diversity, creating a foundation for sustainable, productive agriculture.

Organic farming practices have been shown to significantly improve soil health and microbial diversity compared to conventional farming methods. This article on recent DNA studies provides compelling evidence for the benefits of organic practices on soil ecosystems (eOrganic, 2023).

Increased Microbial Diversity and Abundance

Organic farming leads to greater microbial diversity and abundance in soils. Research in the Netherlands found that organically managed soils had higher numbers and more diverse populations of beneficial soil organisms compared to conventionally managed soils (Hartmann et al., 2015). Similar results were observed in banana plantation soils in Taiwan, with organic soils showing greater microbial diversity (Lehman et al., 2015). This increased microbial diversity is crucial for soil health, as it improves nutrient cycling, water retention, and disease suppression.

Enhanced Bacterial Communities

DNA studies reveal specific changes in soil bacterial communities under organic management. Organic systems show higher abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla like Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, and Rokubacteria (Hartmann et al., 2015). These bacterial groups correlate with improved soil biochemical properties and increased crop yields in organic systems (Lehman et al., 2015).

Improved Fungal Associations

Organic practices foster beneficial fungal relationships in the soil. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization is higher in organic soils (Hannula & van Veen, 2016). AMF extend plant root systems, improving water and nutrient uptake, especially in challenging conditions like drought or high soil salinity.

Soil Organic Matter and Carbon Sequestration

Organic farming significantly increases soil organic matter content. The National Soil Project found organic soils averaged 8.33% organic matter content versus 7.37% in conventional soils (National Soil Project). Organic soils showed higher levels of sequestered carbon (4.1% vs 2.85%) and a greater percentage of organic matter in stable forms (57.3% vs 45%). This increased organic matter improves soil structure, water retention, and carbon sequestration potential.

Nitrogen Fixation and Nutrient Cycling

Organic practices enhance natural nutrient cycling processes. Research suggests organic soybean plants may develop more extensive fine root systems and nitrogen-fixing nodules compared to conventional crops (Lehman et al., 2015). The diverse microbial communities in organic soils contribute to more efficient nutrient cycling and availability for plants (Hartmann et al., 2015).

Soil Enzyme Activity

Organic management boosts soil enzymatic activity. Higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase activity are observed in organic systems (Bowles et al., 2014). These enzymes play crucial roles in organic matter decomposition and nutrient release.

In conclusion, DNA studies provide strong evidence that organic farming practices revitalize soil health by fostering diverse and abundant microbial communities, improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient cycling, and increasing carbon sequestration. These benefits create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Sources for Further Reading:

Hartmann, M., Frey, B., Mayer, J., Mäder, P., & Widmer, F. (2015). Distinct soil microbial diversity under long-term organic and conventional farming. The ISME Journal, 9(5), 1177-1194. doi:10.1038/ismej.2014.210

Lehman, R. M., Cambardella, C. A., Stott, D. E., Acosta-Martínez, V., Manter, D. K., Buyer, J. S., … & Halvorson, J. J. (2015). Understanding and enhancing soil biological health: The solution for reversing soil degradation. Sustainability, 7(1), 988-1027. doi:10.3390/su7010988

These resources provide additional insights into how soil biology supports agriculture and the role of organic practices in enhancing microbial diversity.

Enhancing Organic Rice Yields: Texas Researchers Lead the Way in Ratoon Crop Production

Dr. Tanumoy Bera is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Beaumont. In 2022 he was awarded a grant by Southern SARE with a project called, “Development of Sustainable Organic Rice Ratoon Production Systems in the Southern US,” and he has some excellent results so far with more to come. Here is a progress report from Dr. Bera and I think organic rice growers can benefit from his observations.

by Dr. Tanumoy Bera, Rice Researcher

While organic rice consumption in the U.S. has grown substantially in recent years, demand for domestically grown organic rice hasn’t kept pace. Instead, cheaper imports have dominated the market, creating challenges for U.S. producers trying to meet the increasing appetite for organic rice while maintaining profitability. To address these challenges, researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife in Beaumont are focusing on improving organic ratoon rice production—a method that allows rice to be harvested from the regrowth of previously harvested stubble. This technique is especially valuable because it enables a second harvest without the need to replant, which helps farmers reduce costs, increase productivity, and compete with lower-priced imports while still maintaining a viable net income per acre.

This ongoing study, initiated in 2022, aims to evaluate how rice cultivars, crop rotation practices, and nitrogen application rates affect the yield and quality of organic ratoon rice. The team tested two cultivars—Presidio and RiceTec XP753—alongside two management approaches: winter fallow and cover cropping. Their goal is to determine how these factors influence yield, milling quality, nitrogen content, and nitrogen removal in an organic ratoon system.

Early findings have been promising. The hybrid XP753 showed a remarkable performance, increasing the main crop yield by 75% and ratoon yield by 97% compared to Presidio. This is partly due to hybrid varieties like XP753 being bred to combine the best traits from parent plants, resulting in higher yields and greater resilience—key attributes for organic farming.

However, establishing cover crops in southeast Texas has been challenging, mainly due to wet winters and poor drainage in heavy clay soils. Despite these difficulties, cover crops, when successfully established, have provided significant benefits. To enhance nitrogen availability, the researchers utilized organic-approved inputs such as compost and cover crops, finding that an equivalent of 90 pounds of nitrogen per acre was optimal for achieving the greatest yields, with greater rates offering no additional advantage. This insight helps farmers optimize nitrogen inputs using sustainable sources, saving costs while promoting organic practices.

Looking ahead, the research will continue into the 2025 season, aiming to refine these findings and explore their long-term impacts. This work is crucial as demand for organic products continues to rise, providing farmers with improved productivity while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. With initiatives like this, Texas A&M AgriLife is helping pave the way for a more resilient and environmentally friendly future in agriculture.

Other Rice Resources (just click a link!)

Lessons from a Study on Hay Variability: Insights for Organic Producers

When it comes to hay production, many farmers assume that bales harvested from the same field will contain similar nutrient levels. The differences across fields was evident in a recent article by Michael Reuter in Progressive Forage1. His article and data show us all, the significant differences even among bales from the same field. Understanding and managing these differences can make a big impact, especially for organic farmers who want to optimize livestock nutrition and maintain a consistent quality of forage.

Variability in Nutrient Composition: What the Data Tells Us

The following table from the article1 presents the nutrient composition and analysis of 20 individual bales randomly sampled from an 86-acre hay field, which was managed as a unit and harvested all at the same time:

The analysis of the 20 hay bales showed surprising variability in key nutrients such as Crude Protein (%CP), fiber content (measured as %ADF and %NDF), and essential minerals like Calcium (%CA) and Phosphorus (%P). Summary statistics of the nutrient composition are presented below:

Crude protein, for example, varied from 9.7% to 15.9%. This 6.2 percentage point difference could significantly influence the nutritional value of hay fed to livestock.

Fiber levels also differed substantially. The ranges in Acid Detergent Fiber (%ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (%NDF) directly affect how digestible the hay is and how much livestock will eat. Calcium and phosphorus levels, which are critical for bone health and metabolic functions, also showed noteworthy differences between bales.

Why Does This Variability Happen?

Even in a well-managed hayfield, several factors can contribute to this nutrient variability:

  1. Soil Fertility Differences: Organic amendments like compost or manure may not be evenly spread across the field. Variability in soil nutrients can cause different areas of the field to produce hay with varying nutrient levels.
  2. Crop Rotation and Plant Diversity: Rotating different crops or allowing natural diversity in the field is beneficial for soil health, but it can also lead to differences in how well each crop absorbs nutrients.
  3. Pest, Weed, and Microclimate Effects: Organic fields often have more variability in pest pressure, weed growth, and microclimates. These differences can lead to uneven growth, which in turn affects nutrient content.
Managing Nutrient Variability

To minimize these differences and provide more consistent forage quality, farmers can take several practical steps:

  • Soil Testing: Regularly test soil across different sections of the field. This helps identify nutrient deficiencies or hotspots, allowing targeted amendment application.
  • Even Amendment Application: When applying compost, manure, or other organic fertilizers, try to ensure even distribution across the field. Variability in amendment application is a key factor in nutrient inconsistency.
  • Use Cover Crops: Cover cropping can help improve soil structure and increase nutrient cycling, which leads to more uniform plant growth.
  • Monitor Harvest Stages: Harvesting at a consistent plant maturity stage across the field can help reduce variability. Plants harvested at different growth stages can differ significantly in nutrient content.
  • Matching Regular Soil and Forage Testing: Applying soil nutrients based on soil tests and then testing multiple hay bales gives a clearer picture of the overall nutrient profile from start to finish. Testing hay allows adjustments in livestock feeding to meet nutritional needs effectively and maybe even save money!
Why Managing Nutrient Variability Matters

In organic systems, where synthetic supplements are not allowed, maximizing the natural nutrient content of forages is essential. Variable hay quality can significantly impact livestock health, as inconsistencies in nutrition may lead to reduced growth rates, lower milk production, or other health issues. Moreover, optimizing the quality of on-farm forage can reduce the need for expensive purchased supplements and any organic supplements are not cheap.

Maintaining consistent forage quality also supports animal welfare, which is a core value of organic and sustainable farming. Healthy, well-fed animals are more resistant to disease, aligning with the organic principle of promoting natural immunity and reducing intervention.

Conclusion

Variability is a natural part of farming, but with informed management, we can turn that variability into an opportunity for learning and improvement—ultimately providing better feed for our livestock and keeping our farms resilient.

1.Data Source: October 1, 2024 issue of Progressive Forage written by Michael Reuter, Analytical Services Technical Manager at Dairy One Cooperative Inc. and Equi-Analytical Labs.

New to Texas Organic?

In case you didn’t know: Texas has impressive diversity in its organic agricultural production. The organic crops grown in Texas encompass staple commodities such as peanuts, cotton, corn, wheat, sorghum, alfalfa, rice, hay, grass, and soybeans. Beyond these staples, Texas farmers cultivate a wide array of vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, onions, tomatoes, peppers, kale, radishes, garlic, and microgreens. The state’s organic fruit production features watermelons, strawberries, blueberries, and various citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges. Additionally, a variety of herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, and other spices are grown organically. Texas also supports the cultivation of flowers, transplants, and specialty crops like mushrooms, aloe vera, and cacti.

Complementing its crop production, Texas’s organic agriculture sector includes a growing livestock industry. Organic farmers in the state produce milk and from milk lots of other dairy products like butter and cheese. There is a growing demand for dairy products nationwide and Texas leads in organic dairy.

Texans also raise organic chickens, turkeys, and cattle, supplying organic beef, poultry, and eggs to consumers. Moreover, Texas organic producers’ market organic beef and dairy replacement livestock, which are sold to organic operations both within the state and across the country. This extensive range of organic crops and livestock products demonstrates Texas’s rich and diverse organic agriculture sector, solidifying its position as a leader in organic farming.

So, what does a typical organic producer in Texas look like? Well this producer is probably located in one of 5 organic “hot spots” in Texas – the High Plains from Amarillo north and doing dairy, grain or silage crops; or maybe the South Plains from Lubbock south to Andrews growing peanuts, cotton or wheat; or possibly in the Central Texas area bounded by Comanche and Waco south to Austin, and growing forage crops for more dairy producers or small acreage vegetables; or maybe in the Gulf Coast area from Beaumont to El Campo growing organic rice; or this organic producer is possibly in the Rio Grande Valley right up against the Mexico border growing citrus and vegetables. With over 576,000 acres certified organic they are scattered across a big state. And they aren’t small either with the average sized organic farm being 1,249 acres. Even the median (right in the middle of the list) acreage at 370 acres is considered large for most states’ organic programs – everything is bigger in Texas!

Cover Crops in South Plains Cotton – Not possible, or is it?

Carl Pepper Farm Tour – Spring of 2023

I was scrolling through my LinkedIn this morning (Monday, July 15, 2024) and saw a post by Dr. Joseph Burke that I just had to check out!

Just click on the picture to read the full research paper!

I am going to cut through all the information in the full-text and give you a look at the mini version. Let’s start with the abstract from the first page.

Abstract: By improving soil properties, cover crops can reduce wind erosion and sand damage to emerging cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. However, on the Texas High Plains, questions regarding cover crop water use and management factors that affect cotton lint yield are common and limit conservation adoption by regional producers. Studies were conducted near Lamesa, Texas, USA, in 2017–2020 to evaluate cover crop species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing on cover crop biomass production and cotton yield in conventional and no-tillage systems. The no-till systems included two cover crop species, rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and were compared to a conventional tillage system. The cover crops were planted at two seeding rates, 34 (30.3 lbs./ac.) and 68 kg ha (60.7 lbs./ac.), and each plot was split into two termination timings: optimum, six to eight weeks prior to the planting of cotton, and late, which was two weeks after the optimum termination. Herbage mass was greater in the rye than the wheat cover crop in three of the four years tested, while the 68 kg ha (60.7 lbs./ac.) seeding rate was greater than the low seeding rate in only one of four years for both rye and wheat. The later termination timing produced more herbage mass than the optimum in all four years. Treatments did not affect cotton plant populations and had a variable effect on yield. In general, cover crop biomass production did not reduce lint production compared to the conventional system.

This last statement, “cover crops did not reduce lint production,” is hugely significant and yet it is exactly what many organic cotton producers have been saying for years!

Temperature and Rainfall data during the study

To continue the “mini version” of the research let’s turn to the Summary and Conclusions on page 9 of the research paper.

The semi-arid Texas High Plains presents challenging early-season conditions for cotton producers. Cover crops can help mitigate erosion and protect cotton seedlings from wind and sand damage without reducing yields compared to conventional practices if managed appropriately. Effective cover crop management is needed to optimize cotton lint yield compared to conventional tillage systems. We focused on three cover crop management practices: species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing. With regard to species selection, rye produced greater herbage mass in three of the four years. The seeding rate had less of an effect on herbage mass; doubling the seeding rate from 34 to 68 kg ha (30.3 – 60.7 lbs./ac.) did not contribute to increased herbage mass. This change in seeding rate only causes an increase in seed costs, and this trend held true for both species and termination timings. Termination timing had the most significant effect on herbage mass, with a two-week delay in termination timing, increasing herbage mass production from 44 to 63%. At the targeted termination time of six to eight weeks before planting, rye and wheat experienced increased growth as they transitioned from vegetative to reproductive growth. This critical period makes termination timing an essential aspect of herbage mass management. Termination timing can also impact the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, where higher C:N at later growth stages can increase N immobilization. While water availability or allelopathy concerns are cited as risks for cotton germination and emergence when using cover crops, cotton plant populations were not affected in this study.

Cotton lint yields were not impacted by increasing cover crop herbage mass, except in 2018, when greater wheat biomass resulted in decreased lint yield compared to the conventional system. In each year, wheat or rye at a 34 kg ha (30.3 lbs./ac.) seeding rate and optimum termination timing resulted in cotton lint yields not different than the Conventional Treatment. While yield potentials can differ between years depending on precipitation and temperatures, effective cover crop management can help sustain cotton lint yields when compared to conventional treatments. Rye seed tends to cost more than wheat, but it grows more rapidly and could be terminated earlier to allow for increased moisture capture and storage between termination and cotton planting. (below is the final sentence in the paper and summarizes well the entire study)

“This research demonstrates that with effective cover crop management, the implementation of conservation practices can be successful in semi-arid cropping systems.“

Water-Seeded Rice

Dr. Ronnie Levy, Extension Rice Specialist at LSU wrote this article for the April 2022 issue of Rice Farming Magazine. I clipped it out and thought, “this will come in handy someday!” I am putting this out there again because our organic rice producers are facing some real problems with weeds in rice including weedy rice, hemp sesbania, jointvetch and certainly weedy grasses.

Last year I was at Joe Broussard’s farm near Nome, looking at a rice field that was headed out and looking great. On the other side of the levy was a field choked with weeds – what was the difference? One was water-seeded rice, and the other was not. Joe had used water seeding and his flood to control weeds “the old-fashioned way!” So, read this article by Dr. Levy and think about it……

Rice Farming, April 2022. Dr. Ron Levy. “Most rice is drill-seeded in Louisiana — about 80% — but there is a renewed interest in water-seeding rice for weedy rice suppression (or many other weeds in organic systems).

The most common water-seeding method in Louisiana is the pinpoint flood system. After seeding, the field is drained briefly. The initial drain period is only long enough to allow the radicle to penetrate the soil (peg down) and anchor the seedling. A three- to five-day drain period is sufficient under normal conditions.

The field then is permanently flooded until rice nears maturity (an exception is midseason drainage to alleviate straighthead (physiological problem of rice) under certain conditions).

In this system, rice seedlings emerge through the floodwater. Seedlings must be above the water surface by at least the 3 to 4-leaf rice stage. Before this stage, seedlings normally have sufficient stored food and available oxygen to survive. Atmospheric oxygen and other gases are then necessary for the plant to grow and develop.

The pinpoint flood system is an excellent means of suppressing weedy rice emerging from seeds in the soil because oxygen necessary for weedy rice germination is not available as long as the field is maintained in a flooded (or saturated) condition. A continuous flood system, another water-seed system, is limited in Louisiana. Although similar to the pinpoint flood system, the field is never drained after seeding.

Regarding the water-seeded systems, a continuous flood system is normally best for red rice suppression, but rice stand establishment is most difficult. Even the most vigorous variety may have problems becoming established under this system. Inadequate stand establishment is a common problem in both systems.

Fertilization timing is the same for both the pinpoint and continuous flood systems. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers are applied preplant incorporated as in the dry-seeded system. Once the field is flooded, the soil should not be allowed to dry.

If the nitrogen requirement of a particular field is known, all nitrogen fertilizer can be incorporated prior to flooding and seeding or applied during the brief drain period in a pinpoint flood system. Additional N fertilizer can be applied at the beginning of reproductive growth between panicle initiation and panicle differentiation (2-millimeter panicle).

Water-seeding has been used in the past for weed control. Will water-seeding make a comeback to help with weedy rice suppression (or possibly for organic rice producers)?”

Another issue water-seeded rice may experience.

Rice Seed Midges – The larvae of these insects (Order Diptera, Family Chironomidae, Genera Tanytarsus and Chironomus) are aquatic and can be very abundant in rice fields. The adults are small, gnat-like flies that typically form inverted pyramidal mating swarms in the spring over stagnant or slow-moving water. Female flies lay eggs in ribbons on the water surface. The larvae hatch and move downward to the flooded substrate where they build protective “tubes” of silk, detritus, and mud. These brown, wavy “tubes” are easily observed on the mud surface of rice paddies. Occasionally, the larvae will exit the tubes and swim to the surface in a whiplike fashion, similar to that of mosquito larvae. Midge larvae can damage water-seeded (pinpoint or continuous flood) rice by feeding on the sprouts of submerged germinating rice seeds. Damage can retard seedling growth or kill seedlings; however, the window of vulnerability to midge attack is rather narrow (from seeding to when seedlings are about 3 inches long).

Control rice seed midge problems by dry seeding, then employing a delayed flood, or by draining water-seeded paddies soon after planting. Thus, a pinpoint flood should reduce the potential for rice seed midge damage relative to a continuous flood. For water-seeded rice, reduce rice seed midge problems by increasing the seeding rate and planting sprouted seed immediately after flooding.

Management of Rice Seed Midge – Insecticide Trial Results

Click on the above link to read a great article from California rice researchers about an experiment they did on Rice Seed Midge control and some of the most effective treatments are organic and soon to be OMRI approved.