Improvement of Rice Grain Quality - Link (January 2005)

Clampett, W.S

2005

This RIRDC funded project presents information on the project into rice grain quality. The aim of the project was to improve the quality of paddy rice with the key focus on the percentage of whole grain after milling. This could be achieved through the adoption of appropriate crop management technology and practices. Three key areas were to identify the management practices in commercial rice growing that most effect grain quality in particular % of whole grain. The second area was to identify the barriers and constraints to the adoption of management practices to improve grain quality. It was then aimed to develop and implement a rice extension practices to be implemented optimise grain quality. The methodology was to undertake sequential harvesting and grain quality assessments, followed by survey of knowledge attitudes, constraints and organize an extension program. The conclusion presents 8 key points the initial point included all medium grain crops have a potential high whole grain yield of around 65%. There is a potential % of whole grain remains stable until the grain moisture drops below 20-22% and once this occurs the % whole grain declines directly related to evaporation. It was noted that daily evaporation rates less than 2mm per day % WG does not recline however after 20-22% moisture rainfall can cause major decline in % whole grain up to 30%. It was also seen that the evaporation demand can be influenced by the surface soil moisture under the crop canopy. There were differences acknowledged between the different rice varieties Amaroo and earlier maturing medium grain varieties have similar results where as Longrains; Langi, Doongara and Kyeema all respond differently.