Nutrient Management

California began producing rice commercially over 100 years ago, in 1912. Currently, approximately 95% of California’s rice is produced in the Sacramento Valley, mostly medium grain varieties.

Because of California’s population density, agriculture must adhere to many regulations limiting its impact on the environment and wildlife. Water use and public safety are of chief importance.

In February 2018, the State Water Board revised the General Order for the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed to include a new drinking water well monitoring requirement. The drinking water supply well monitoring requirement applies to all coalitions within the boundaries within Region 5 of the Central Valley Water Board. The Sacramento Valley rice growers will follow requirements tailored to the area and commodity. California Rice Commission members will be required to monitor their drinking water supply wells for nitrate + nitrite as nitrogen beginning in January 2022.

Potassium nitrate is used in agriculture, industry, solar energy plants, food and pharma. In agriculture, the main uses of potassium nitrate are related to the supply of plant nutrients via fertigation, foliar and field applications. Potassium nitrate has also proven to be a valuable tool in crop pest and stress management and has shown positive effects on the control of plant pests and diseases when applied or as an additive to crop protection agrochemicals, thus allowing the grower to practice more effective and judicious use of pesticides. When used correctly, potassium nitrate can be a valuable and economic source in any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, not only for its effective and environmentally sensitive aspects, but for its effects on overall plant health, thus creating a stronger, more resistant plant. This is demonstrated in this course by a number of examples of pest management with potassium and nitrate sources. This course also has a section on the role of nutrients in IPM and is sponsored by SQM.