The increasing demand for U.S.-grown rice is giving growers a boost in prices and a desire to grow more acres.
Brad Veazey, UPL agronomist and sales representative in Arkansas, says the 2020 rice crop in Arkansas is about three to four weeks behind normal, but growers are likely to make quick work of planting and spraying with favorable weather conditions in late May.
The challenge for growers is controlling weeds during the dryland and flooding stages of crop development. Water management is a critical factor for the successful control of weeds in rice. Water that is too deep impedes rice stand establishment or results in water spillage; water that is too shallow exposes the soil surface and allows weed seed germination.
“UPL offers several solutions to battle against burdensome weeds,” Veazey says. “Our portfolio offers producers a variety of control options.”
He suggests growers consider incorporating one of these three standout herbicide options into their rice weed control plan.
RICEBEAUX® Herbicide provides contact and residual control of the broadest spectrum of weeds in rice with a combination of 3 lb. propanil and 3 lb. thiobencarb per gallon. It was designed to fill the weed control gap in the Clearfield® Production System and is a reliable tool for conventional rice acres.
RICEONE® Herbicide provides long residual control of broadleaf weeds in rice. As a delayed pre-emergent or early post-emergent application, one gallon of RICEONE CS contains 2.56 lb. of pendimethalin and 1.07 lb. of clomazone. Its patented micro-encapsulated formulation technology called capsule suspension (CS) provides convenient use rates of 35 to 50 fl oz/acre.
SUPERWHAM!® Herbicide is one of the top-selling water-based formulations, setting the industry standard for grass and broadleaf weed control. The unique formulation contains 4 lb. of propanil per gallon, has a low odor and reduced drift, and is an ideal tank mix partner.
“I try to encourage growers to push the hardest on the early post-emergence applications with propanil applications. The weeds are smaller, 2 inches or less, and easier to control,” Veazey says.
It’s key that growers create a weed control plan that offers multiple modes of action against a wide array of problematic weeds. To pick the right product combination, growers need to identify the weed species in the field and create management plan.
“The greatest instance of resistant weeds happen on continual rice acres,” Veazey says. “All of our products are still very effective, but it’s important that growers have access to herbicides with new modes of action. With good tillage, rotations and water management, growers have many strategies to use to prevent resistance.”
Find more information about weed control solutions for rice fields, contact your local UPL sales representative or visit www.upl-ltd.com/us.
