Aggregate performance data for the years 1991 through 1994 is presented in the table. Cultivated wild rice is grown on approximately 20,000 acres in Minnesota. Most wild rice is produced from varieties with nonshattering tendency, but some fields are still planted to shattering types. No recommendations regarding specific varieties are made. With the likelihood of preharvest losses due to high winds, storms, blackbird damage, and killing frost before varietal maturity, growers should favor early to medium maturing varieties.
All varieties shatter to some extent and are lodging and disease susceptible.
More shattering resistant than K2 or other currently grown varieties, especially retaining more seed when harvest is delayed. Released 1992 by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Developed by Kosbau Brothers in 1972. Up to 50 percent of plants can have bottlebrush panicle type, depending on continued selection for the trait. Should equal or exceed K2 in yield and mature a few days earlier.