Rice Farmers are Switching to Biologicals—Here’s Why
Optimizing root development and tillering with premium biologicals is boosting yields and ROI in both flooded and row rice
Rice production success hinges on two critical factors: root growth and tillering. Whether you’re managing a traditional flooded system or a row rice setup, maximizing these components is essential for achieving higher yields.
Biological products offer a solution by reintroducing key microbial strains that enhance root development and stimulate tillering, even in low-oxygen environments. By improving microbial diversity within the plant, these biologicals help rice plants establish deeper roots, maximize nutrient uptake and improve overall yield potential.
However, in traditional flooded systems, prolonged water saturation can disrupt the soil’s microbial balance, reducing the presence of beneficial aerobic microbes that are essential for strong root development and nutrient uptake. This microbial shift can limit plant resilience and productivity, making it crucial to find ways to support beneficial microbes in rice production.
The Importance of Root Growth and Tillering in Rice Production
Tillering is the process where rice plants produce additional stems. It directly impacts grain production by increasing the number of panicles per plant.
Did You Know These 3 Rice Facts?
- Rice production in the United States is concentrated in six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.
- The U.S. is the fifth-largest rice exporter in the world, supplying rice to more than 120 countries.
- Rice is one of the highest-yielding staple crops, producing around 11 million calories per acre, second only to corn.
Strong root systems, on the other hand, ensure efficient nutrient and water uptake, improving plant vigor and stress tolerance.
In row rice (or furrow-irrigated rice), a more drought-sensitive environment, robust roots improve moisture efficiency and nutrient absorption. In flooded rice systems, deep root structures help anchor plants and optimize oxygen exchange. The challenge in both systems is ensuring plants have the microbial support needed to maximize tillering and root expansion. This is where biologicals come in.
The Impact of Flooded Soils on Microbial Communities
Unlike corn, rice production relies on flooded soils, which can negatively impact microbial diversity. Flooding soils, even highly productive Arkansas soils, can alter the soil microbial community by drastically reducing oxygen availability. This shift leads to a dominance of anaerobic microorganisms, and limits the presence of beneficial aerobic microbes that are crucial for root development and nutrient uptake.
In this situation, it’s important to introduce aerobic microbes that are endophytic—allowing them to enter the plant.
Microorganisms fall into two categories: endophytic or non-endophytic (figure 1):
- Endophytic microbes: An endophytic microorganism will enter the plant, using the plant as a “house” to live in while growing and giving off metabolites and organic acids, which the plant uses as food.
- Non-endophytic microbes: A non-endophytic microorganism will live and grow around the root in the soil, metabolizes soil nutrients and organic matter.
Figure 1: Endophytic vs. Non-endophytic microorganisms
Both types of microbes have benefits; but in a low-oxygen environment an aerobic endophytic microorganism will live and thrive up inside the plant. An aerobic non-endophytic microorganism will not survive in the flooded soil.
Enhancing Rice Yields with Endophytic Biologicals
If you’re planting hybrid rice—or any rice—using the right biologicals can make a substantial difference. Certain agricultural biologicals are designed to reintroduce beneficial microbes into low-oxygen environments.
One specific example is Locus Agriculture’s Rhizolizer® Duo Box Applied for Rice, a scientifically formulated biological designed to enhance rice productivity. The product is enhanced with vital strains of three endophytic microorganisms: Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It also includes a carrier of talc and graphite to lubricate the planter. 
Unlike non-endophytic microbes that struggle in flooded soils, these endophytic strains enter the plant and thrive, providing essential benefits. In addition to surviving in flooded soils, these vital strains are known to:
- Promote root expansion for better water and nutrient uptake, such as nitrogen and phosphorus
- Increase tiller formation, leading to more productive plants
- Enhance stress resistance, improving performance under variable environmental conditions
- Boost overall yield potential by optimizing rice plant efficiency
- Support resilience in both flooded and row rice systems
Rhizolizer Duo Box Applied for Rice is easy to apply by simply mixing 2 oz per 50 lb bag of seed at planting directly to the seed in the hopper box. Once the seed germinates Locus’ microorganisms enter the plant and start increasing root size and boosting the reproductive stages.
Data-Backed Results: Proven Higher Rice Yields
Field trials conducted by independent research organizations and universities confirm the effectiveness of Rhizolizer Duo Box Applied for Rice. These studies demonstrate significant yield increases, proving that the right biological strains can enhance root development, improve tillering and boost overall profitability for rice growers.
Agricenter International Trial
A contracted research organization, Agricenter International, conducted a trial outside of Memphis, TN, comparing Rhizolizer Duo BA for Rice treatment with a grower’s standard practice. This randomized and replicated trial resulted in an increase in yield when Rhizolizer Duo BA for Rice was applied.
University of Arkansas Trial
A second trial conducted by the University of Arkansas in Stuttgart, AR validated these findings and further demonstrated the effectiveness of Rhizolizer Duo in improving rice yields. The study compared a grower’s standard practice to fields treated with Rhizolizer Duo, revealing a significant yield increase. Fields treated with Rhizolizer Duo produced 184.2 bushels per acre, compared to 172.7 bushels per acre under the grower’s standard practice—an 11.5 bushel per acre improvement (Figure 3).
Figure 3: 2024 University of Arkansas Rice Research & Extension Center in Stuttgart, AR trialed Locus Agriculture’s product Rhizolizer Duo for Rice. Conclusion was an 11.5 bu/ac increase over the grower practice.
This yield boost translated into a substantial financial gain. At a rice price of $6.19 per bushel, the additional yield generated $71.18 more revenue per acre. With the cost of Rhizolizer Duo at just $2.73 per acre (based on a 22 lbs/acre seeding rate), growers saw a net return of $68.45 per acre, proving the product’s strong return on investment.
The University of Arkansas trial confirms a return on investment of $68.45 per acre using Locus AG biologicals for rice.
The Bottom Line: Boost Yields and Profitability with Biologicals
Rice is a unique and essential crop for both U.S. food security and global exports. Using Locus AG’s scientifically backed biological inputs can help domestic rice producers improve microbial diversity, boost tillering and improve root growth. For rice growers looking to maximize production, these biologicals offer a proven, cost-effective way to enhance yields by 11.5 bushels per acre, directly enhancing farm profitability.
If you are interested in learning more about Locus Agriculture’s products and what they can do to improve your bottom line, contact your trusted local Locus Ag representative for more information.
Ready to take your rice yields to the next level? Contact Locus AG today to learn more about Rhizolizer Duo and its benefits for your operation.
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