News Release Distributed 06/26/13
CROWLEY, La. – A smartphone application to help rice farmers with their crop has been released by the LSU AgCenter at the annual Rice Research Station Field Day on June 26.
Several subjects are covered with the Rice Scout app, including insects, diseases, fertility and weeds.
“By no means is this app intended as a substitute for LSU AgCenter experts,” said Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, one of a team of developers. “It’s good to have something in people’s hands to identify a pest or a problem they are looking at on the spot.”
The app includes photos of insects, weeds and diseases, as well as conditions related to rice fertility. A step-by-step process helps a user identify the pest or condition with photographs, then explains what can be done.
“It’s another tool. It’s not intended to take the place of training and experience,” said Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice Research Station.
Linscombe said if a user needs to talk with an LSU AgCenter extension agent, the app has links to make a telephone call for help. It also has links to several LSU AgCenter publications on rice, including the Louisiana Rice Production Handbook.
The app also is available for use by computers with Internet connections. Because it is Web-based, the app will be updated automatically by the LSU AgCenter.
The app is available online for loading on a mobile device or a desktop computer at http://ricescout.lsuagcenter.com.
The project was partially funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board and the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Program.
A similar app for soybeans was released earlier this year.
Bruce Schultz