3/31/2021

How to Eliminate Costly Weed Escapes in Rice Fields

By Steve Frost, Corteva Agriscience 
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A recent University of Arkansas survey highlights just how critical it is to effectively control challenging weeds in rice, such as barnyardgrass, with an early postemergence herbicide treatment.

Jason Norsworthy, University of Arkansas weed scientist, discovered through a 2020 rice weed survey that 44% of rice producers do not believe they adequately control barnyardgrass with their early postemergence applications.

The survey also revealed that an average of three additional applications were required to control barnyardgrass escapes. These alarming revelations are proof that more focus must be put into early postemergence weed control.

The Corteva Agriscience portfolio of rice herbicides is one of the best postemergence herbicide lineups in the industry. Clincher® SF, Grasp® SC, Loyant® and RebelEX® herbicides all are excellent for ensuring a clean, economical, high-yielding rice crop.

Start Clean

The goal is always to start clean. If you don't get adequate control of preplant weeds, you will quickly fall behind the eight ball.

Glyphosate antagonism with other tank-mixed herbicides or tillage-related weed damage before herbicide applications often results in incomplete control of emerged barnyardgrass. Applying glyphosate as a stand-alone five to 12 days before your intended planting date often eliminates the issue of incomplete preplant barnyardgrass control.

Get Postemergence Control

The next early season obstacles are weeds that emerge two to three weeks after planting.

This is where the Corteva Agriscience rice lineup shines:

1. Clincher applied at a rate of 12 to 15 ounces per acre with an overlapping residual effectively controls any grasses that have emerged due to preemergence slippage. Clincher tank-mixes well with other herbicides, including Prowl, Facet, Command, Bolero and Newpath.

Adding Clincher to an early postemergence application is one of the most overlooked options in rice herbicide applications. Too many times, growers depend on Propanil or Newpath in this space to control early emerged grasses. Clincher is a much better option and is safe for adjacent soybean crops.

2. RebelEX at a rate of 16 to 20 ounces per acre can also be used if you need multiple modes of action to fight heavy resistance or need broader-spectrum weed control.

3. Another option for early postemergence control of barnyardgrass and other weeds when there is adjacent corn production is Grasp applied at a rate of 2 to 2.3 ounces per acre. Grasp is also a great tank-mix partner with Permit when sedge is an issue.

4. Loyant is another great tool that provides excellent control of broadleaves and sedges. Loyant also brings extra barnyardgrass control when tank-mixed with other herbicides. Loyant is an ideal rice herbicide for controlling resistant flatsedge and is the go-to herbicide for pigweed control in rice, especially furrow-irrigated rice.

As the 2021 rice-growing season approaches, remember to use Corteva Agriscience rice herbicides to put more weed control horsepower in your early postemergence applications and prevent the need for costly post-flood herbicide applications.

Learn more about the portfolio of products from Corteva and find the rice herbicides that best fit your production systems.

™ ® Clincher® SF, Grasp SC, Loyant® and RebelEX are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.