Incorporating straw may induce sulfide toxicity in paddy rice

Tanji, K; Scardaci, S; Gao, S

Incorporating straw may induce sulfide toxicity in paddy rice

Authors

Kenneth K Tanji
Steven C Scardaci
Suduan Gao

Authors Affiliations

K.K. Tanji is Professor Emeritus, Hydrology Program, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; S.C. Scardaci is former Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Colusa County. This study was supported by the UC Kearney Foundation of Soil Science; S. Gao is Assistant Soil and Water Chemist.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 57(2):55-59. DOI:10.3733/ca.v057n02p55. April 2003.

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Abstract

Sulfide toxicity to rice plants has been randomly observed in isolated sites in rice fields and experimental plots in the Sacramento Valley. Plants suffering from sulfide toxicity show signs of retarded growth and reduced yields, including the characteristic blackened roots and, in the most severe cases, death. Because the environmental conditions causing sulfide toxicity are not clear, we carried out a greenhouse pot test. The treatments included straw and sulfate additions to a rice soil to induce sulfide production. Our results contribute to an improved definition of conditions leading to sulfide production, toxicity and impact to rice plants.

References

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