ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Conservation tillage-stale seedbed-is becoming more widespread in Texas rice. Advantages include earlier/more timely planting; earlier harvest, which reduces the likelihood of inclement weather during combining operations; fuel and labor savings; less soil compaction; reduced "wear and tear" on equipment; decreased water usage for the main crop due to earlier harvest and fewer flushings if seed is drilled to moisture; less soil erosion; reduced red rice populations; and increased opportunity to ratoon crop. Disadvantages include purchase of expensive planting equipment, possible rapid development of weed resistance to nonselective herbicides, potentially poor stand establishment relative to conventional tillage, and buildup of organic matter in soil, which can lead to production of toxic byproducts of decay under anaerobic conditions. However, very little data are available on response of insect-damaged rice and rice insect pests to conservation tillage. Thus, the Entomology Project at Texas A&M University, Beaumont, has begun investigations to better understand the relation between stale-seedbed tillage and rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, populations and damage to rice.
