Improved Rice Seed Storage and Segregation for Advanced Breeding Lines

Transcription

1 Improved Rice Seed Storage and Segregation for Advanced Breeding Lines A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Russell Ford Oct 2006 RIRDC Publication No 06/094 RIRDC Project No RRA 4A

2 2006 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN X ISSN Improved Seed Storage and Segregation for Advanced Breeding Lines Publication No. 06/094 Project No. RRA 4A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone Researcher Contact Details Russell Ford Old Coree JERILDERIE. NSW 2716 Phone: Fax: rford@rrapl.com In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: Fax: rirdc@rirdc.gov.au. Web: Published in October 2006 ii

3 Foreword The principal outcome is the establishment of a seed repository for all rice varieties in commercial production, and to improve techniques for drying, storage and cleaning of all early-generation rice seed. The centre will handle breeding lines and commercial cultivars developed and increased as part of the Department of Primary Industries NSW Rice Breeding Program. The objectives of the project are: To store significant quantities of seed of both existing and new cultivars that have unique grain quality attributes, to enable rapid seed production when new markets arise. To reduce the risk of genetic changes occurring in long-term cultivars by storing an adequate quantity of nucleus seed. This is used each year for the production of breeders seed. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination between cultivars during the early phases of the pure seed scheme, through establishing a facility that is completely separate from major paddy receivals. The completion of the rice seed storage and segregation facility at Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL) has enabled rice seed development in Australia to reach a world class level for quality assurance. The previous RIRDC project RRA-3A Alternative Methods and Cultural Practises for Establishing Rice Seed and Nutritional Plots improved the quality, speed and efficiency of producing ice seed in the growing phase. This project was the natural progression for completing the improvement to the overall rice seed system in Australia. Not only are Australian rice growers the most efficient in the world, but they can now also boast that the rice varieties being marketed are the purest and highest quality on the international market place. Rice produced in Australia uses the least amount of water per kilogram of rice produced compared to all other rice growing countries in the world. Australian rice is also free from any chemical residues and has very good cooking qualities. Pure lines of rice further improve Australia s standing as a provider of the best quality rice in the world. This project was funded from industry revenue which is matched by funds provided by the Australian Government. This report, an addition to RIRDC s diverse range of over 1500 research publications, forms part of our Established Industries Rice R&D program, which aims to improve the profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry. provide varieties that result in increased efficiency at the farm level, meet customer requirements and maintain pure seed quality improve crop establishment, agronomy/physiology, nutrition and protection from weeds and diseases improve the sustainability of the rice farming system develop world best practice technologies for harvesting, handling, milling and processing rice foster and achieve innovation both on and off farm Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: downloads at purchases at Peter O Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii

4 Acknowledgments Robert Brookfield - SunRice Adrian Sharp SunRice Frank Zumbo - SunRice Bruer Chiswell BruerTech Neil Vaughan RRAPL Matthew Tubb RRAPL Kirsten Wheatley RRAPL Michael Hastings RRAPL Peter Snell NSWDPI Russell Reinke - NSWDPI Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co. (JAPAN) Abbreviations RRAPL NSWDPI SCADA Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition iv

5 Contents Foreword... iii Acknowledgments... iv Abbreviations... iv Executive Summary... vi Introduction... 1 Rice Seed Development... 1 Objectives... 3 Methodology... 3 Seed Shed... 3 Cool Room... 4 Monitoring and Control... 4 Quality Assurance (QA)... 6 Delivery and Recording System... 7 Other Improvements... 7 Implications... 8 Recommendations... 8 v

6 Executive Summary Seed quality is very important in the final outcome of any plant form. Improving the reliability of rice seed quality is the basis of this project. The consumer demands quality in all aspects of food including; taste, texture, flavour, purity, appearance, traceability, freshness and aroma. They also like to know that the food is grown in an environmentally sustainable manner with little or no chemical residues. Australian grown rice meets all the above criteria. It was the aim of this project to make the source of this rice (seed development and segregation) an improved and more reliable attribute of the production system. The project also aims to improve market response time to the ever changing consumer demands. Rice growers are already beginning to benefit with the outcomes of this project. The improved segregation, drying and storage systems allows for quality seed to be available when demand arises. The introduction of automation and monitoring for the drying systems allows the seed to maintain optimum vigour and germination at the completion of the drying cycle. Testing the seed for both purity of type (varietal purity) and purity from weed seeds has added more assurance as to the final quality of the rice seed. To produce the best quality rice seed year in, year out; the seed needs to be looked after in a controlled manner from harvest through to the final distribution to seed growers. Although harvesting equipment was not part of this project, RRAPL have invested considerable time in testing harvesting equipment to allow for timely harvest of quality grain. A GC800 Yanmar Combine Harvester was purchased in 2002 that meets all the requirements for producing the required product. This harvester can be positively cleaned, produces a superior rice sample, can operate under all crop conditions, and has very good backup from Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co. in Japan. Rice seed at RRAPL is harvested in various quantities depending upon the generation of development. The smallest lots are harvested into bags (10 to 80kgs), the next size lots (Breeders Seed up to 10 tonnes) are harvested into new 1 tonne perforated bins; and finally the larger foundation seed lots are harvested into trucks where the seed can be transferred into silos for drying and storage. The various sized quantities of seed require differing drying systems to fit the storage vessels. The bag lots are put into the one tonne perforated bins where they can be transferred to drying racks for controlled drying (Appendix 1.). These bins receive ambient air from inside the seed shed and are monitored by humitter probes connected to the RRAPL computer network. These probes monitor for Relative Humidity and Temperature and allow the individual bins to be monitored from a remote computer. It is important to reach final grain moisture of % at the completion of drying, the probes give a good indication as to when the moisture front is removed from the grain. The larger seed lots are stored in silos ranging from 15 tonne capacity up to 55 tonnes. These silos have a perforated floor allowing fans to blow ambient air through the grain from the bottom of each silo. Again these silos have probes for monitoring the drying progress. Each fan on each silo is also computer controlled through computer software called CITEC SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) The introduction of this remote monitoring and controlling software in this project has allowed for constant supervision of all drying and storage of RRAPL s rice seed. vi

7 Once the seed has been dried to the stable grain moisture of 14.5% or below, the grain is held at this moisture with only minimal cycles of ambient air (from fans) for maintenance of cool temperature and seed quality. The seed is cleaned using the seed cleaning equipment installed as part of a previous RIRDC project RRA-1A. This Westrup cleaner followed by Satake Indent cylinders for length grading and an Oliver gravity table for final grading on specific gravity, allow for the retention of high quality seed as a final product from this system. Samples of the final seed product are sent to 1. Charles Sturt University for checking of purity from weed seeds 2. NSWDPI for checking of quality and varietal purity (micro satellite markers), and 3. SunRice appraisals centre for evaluation of germination. This project also included the introduction of long term cool storage for selected rice germ plasm. A 20 tonne cool storage was built to store stable rice lines in 500 to 1000kg lots that can be used to allow fast response to market demands of unique or differing rice grain types. These lines may have special characteristics required by some markets but are not in demand at the current time. vii

8 Introduction Rice Seed Development Australia typically grows specific rice varieties, developed and bred for Australian growing conditions that meet various market specifications. There are currently 10 rice varieties that are grown commercially in Australia, including short, medium, long, fragrant and Arborio types. The seed for these varieties is continually being developed under the Pure Seed Scheme which is a whole industry program run collaboratively between SunRice, RRAPL and NSWDPI. New rice varieties are always under development by NSWDPI and are currently focused on the following outcomes: Yield Cold tolerance Water production efficiency (less water used per kilogram of product produced) Grain Quality. Figure 1. below gives a diagrammatic representation of the production of rice seed and who is responsible. Rice Research Australia Pty. Ltd. (RRAPL) was established in 1989 to provide a facility for research for the benefit of NSW rice growers. It provides a site for early seed increase of promising lines from the NSWDPI breeding program. Residual seed of promising lines entering district trials for the first time is sown at RRAPL with the aim of having enough seed to enable release of the variety as soon as it has performed satisfactorily throughout three years of district testing. Simultaneous district evaluation and seed-increase at RRAPL can make varieties available 2-3 years earlier than would otherwise be possible. In the mid 90 s grain storage, handling and cleaning facilities were established at RRAPL with RIRDC support. This project is aiming to extend, modify and improve this facility. Continuing improvements to SunRice seed handling facilities and structure has also seen RRAPL become a hub for all early generation seed storage and distribution. The increase in volume in seed handling and more importantly, the increase of varieties handled, have seen the need for changes to the present system. Introduction of a system for traceability and quality control would also suit the proposed seed handling improvements. A labelling and traceability system would be useful in recording storage and growing data to allow increased security. An issue that needs improvement in the New South Wales rice seed system is the clear identification of seed lots as to whether it is breeders, foundation or certified seed. Developing protocols for growing, harvesting, drying, storage and record keeping of the rice seed lines will be included as part of this project. Some of these protocols have been developed for growing and handling, but there are no set systems for drying, storage and quality assurance. 1

9 Unstable early generation varieties Stable advanced generation varieties 200 panicle rows 200 panicles selected from plots grown for breeders seed; grain i 1 20 long rows Plots 1 m x 20 m sown With grain from the best 20 panicle rows Nucleus Seed 2 Tonne each Variety 2 o C RRAPL Breeders Seed Generated in plots NSW Agriculture Foundation Seed 10 t of breeders seed grown in plots ha by foundation seed growers RRAPL when required RRAPL SunRice growers Registered Seed 1500 ha grown throughout rice growing areas by certified growers Paddy Figure 1 RRAPL's involvement in rice seed production 2

10 Objectives The principal outcome will be the establishment of a seed repository for all rice varieties in commercial production, and to improve techniques for drying, storage and cleaning of all earlygeneration rice seed. The centre will handle breeding lines and commercial cultivars developed and increased as part of the NSW Agriculture s Rice Breeding Program. The objectives are: To store significant quantities of seed of both existing and new cultivars that have unique grain quality attributes, to enable rapid seed production when new markets arise To reduce the risk of genetic changes occurring in long-term cultivars by storing an adequate quantity of nucleus seed, this is used each year for the production of breeders seed. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination between cultivars during the early phases of the pure seed scheme, through establishing a facility that is completely separate from any paddy receivals. Methodology During the design phase of this project all focus has been given to maximise segregation, minimise contamination and generally improve the system of storing early generation rice seed cultivars. Seed Shed The project involved construction of a new seed shed (42.6m x 18.3m x 7.0m height) to handle increased storage, handling, cleaning and drying facilities to allow for efficient segregation of cultivars (Figure 2). The new larger shed allows for storage of 115 one tonne perforated bins, 3 bin drying racks (each with a capacity of 16 tonne), 20 tonne cool room, seed cleaner (induction, westrup cleaner, indent cylinders and gravity table), and also a small office for the main computer system. Figure 2 New Seed Shed and Storage Facility at RRAPL 3

11 Cool Room This shed has a new humidity-controlled cold room, to allow long-term storage of approximately 16 one tonne quantities of seed of each commercial cultivar and new varietal types (stable nucleus seed). The cool room also allows for storage of small bag lots of pure seed that have been developed as part of the Rice Improvement Project, but are not yet released due to lack of current market demand. The cool room is maintained at 4ºC and 50% Relative Humidity to allow for long term storage of rice seed with maximum vigour and germination potential. It is expected that rice seed can be stored up to 10 years under these conditions with little loss of viability.(figure 3) Figure 3 Cool room storage tonne plastic bins Monitoring and Control To allow storage and cleaning of the quality rice seed being harvested at RRAPL, a drying system was implemented to handle the various size seed lots that were being delivered. Drying fans were already installed on the larger 55 tonne silos and were available for the one tonne perforated bins, but monitoring or control was difficult and very labour intensive and at times dangerous. A new electronic computer monitoring system was introduced to allow ease of monitoring and also control of fans. The silo fans can be controlled automatically and remotely using the CITEC SCADA software installed by Rob Brookfield of SunRice. (Figure 4 & 5) The cool room, automatic weather station and irrigation pumps can all be monitored and controlled using this SCADA system. Bruer Chiswell (BruerTech) aided in installation and design of the wireless network and hardware side of the monitoring system. The wireless network allowed for linkage between the RRAPL office and the Seed Shed (a distance of 1.5km), and also access via a Web Browser. (Figure 6) 4

12 Figure 4 One tonne bin and Cool Room Monitoring page of software Figure 5 Automated aeration control of silos by computer 5

13 Figure 6 Some of the Local Area Network and Control devices used in the Seed Shed System Quality Assurance (QA) Once the systems to allow the production and storage of quality rice seed were implemented a quality assurance program to allow protocols and trace back to be introduced was required. A labelling system was introduced to allow additional recording of information that would be required to meet strict QA standards. Included on these labels were the following: Field Name GPS location Pedigree Previous generations CT count (micro satellite marker where required for ID of segregate) Normal records Storage location, moisture, variety, trash level, seed generation, weight. These labels also contained bar coding to allow quick stock takes during and at the end of season. GPS mapping has allowed RRAPL to trace all Breeders seed areas from sowing to harvest. This allows for exact records of each long row seed lot to be identified by a GPS reference and a cross check for harvesting with bin number included. (Appendix 2) Once cleaned, a representative sample of each seed lot is sent for testing at the following locations: 1. Charles Sturt University Purity from weed seeds test 2. NSWDPI (Cereal Chemistry Yanco) Varietal Purity test 3. SunRice Appraisals Seed germination test. These three tests allow for the final checks of quality seed. When the seed lot is passed on to SunRice to distribute to selected seed growers, the integrity and purity of the seed is of the highest level. The weed seed test is a new development from this project and has been developed by CSU and is now part of a commercialised field for CSU. The test is used throughout the Pure Seed Scheme and has been a great asset in identifying possible weed contamination. (Appendix 3) 6

14 Delivery and Recording System Adrian Sharp from Information Services SunRice assisted in developing a computer program that allowed for normal paddy deliveries (SunRice system) with some additional details. This allowed for recording information such as generation, field location and pedigree. Bin labels with more information have been designed as part of the delivery system to aid in segregation and identification of seed lots. This delivery system allowed RRAPL to keep the traceability records that a top level seed scheme requires. Other Improvements Additional and improved grain conveying equipment has been installed that allows for simple cleaning and easy inspection. Easy cleaning is one of the highest priorities considered when designing this facility. A seed testing platform was added to the weighbridge area to allow testing of trucks on delivery. This platform is set up identical to other SunRice delivery sites with similar equipment. (Figure 7) Drainage and functionality of the site has also been improved as part of this project. 7

15 Implications The outcomes and improvements from this project have additional benefits outside of RRAPL. The traceability and labelling system have some linkages that could be used in Paddy receivals by SunRice. For instance the generation and field location information would be useful to SunRice. As mentioned above, the Weed Test for seed lots is already being adopted by SunRice for use on a more commercial scale. The benefits of the high level of QA could also be used as a marketing advantage in selling the purity of the crops to follow. Other agricultural seed based commodities could adopt similar systems for traceability and identification of purity. Availability of pure seed for rice varieties not currently in demand but that have market potential, gives the cool storage a definite advantage over the previous system. It will actually save at least 2 years of multiplication to react to a marketing directive. Figure 7 Kirsten Wheatley (RRAPL) Testing seed in the Seed Test Platform Recommendations The outcome of this project has seen a large improvement in the quality of rice seed produced by Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd. There is still room for improvement in further automating and simplifying the traceability system and the rice drying system. Use of new precision farming technologies will aid in the improvement to the traceability system. Also the use of electronic tagging (similar to livestock National Identification System NLIS) could benefit tracking bins through movements from field to storage. The use of the CSIRO rice drying computer model ADC (Adaptive Drying Control) would have marked benefits in the automation of drying rice. Additional storage and drying vessels would be an advantage to allow further dissemination between lots when required. A simple marker system for easy identification of varieties would be very useful in all stages of rice seed production. SunRice have developed a new delivery system linked to the companies main network. RRAPL should work with SunRice in developing a direct link to this system to further improve the efficiencies of the delivery and data recording system. 8

16 Appendix 1 One tonne perforated bins on drying rack Appendix 2 Developing bin labels was essential for good traceability. 9

17 Appendix 3 GPS Traceability of each bin lot is essential for the QA System ILLABONG BREEDERS 10

18 Appendix 4 Weeds Test Result for Pre and Post Cleaning samples 11