Pest Management Science (2017) 73, 71-77

Roberto Busi, Nghia K. Nguyen, Bhagirath S. Chauhan, Francesco Vidotto, Maurizio Tabacchi and Stephen B. Powles (2017)
Can herbicide safeners allow selective control of weedy rice infesting rice crops?
Pest Management Science 73 (1), 71-77
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Rice is a major field crop of paramount importance for global food security. However, the increased adoption of more profitable and resource-efficient direct-seeded rice (DSR) systems has contributed to greater weed infestations, including weedy rice, which has become a severe problem in several Asian regions. In this study we have developed a conceptually novel method to protect rice plants at high doses of clomazone and triallate.
RESULTS
The insecticide phorate applied to rice seeds provided a substantial level of protection against the herbicides clomazone or triallate. A quantity of 15 kg phorate ha^-1 significantly increased the LD₅₀ values, which were more than twofold greater than for rice plants treated only with clomazone. A quantity of 20 kg phorate ha^-1 in combination with 2000 g triallate ha^-1 safened rice plants (80% survival) with LD₅₀ >3.4-fold greater than in phorate-untreated rice. Weed control efficacy was not lowered by the presence of phorate-treated rice seeds.
CONCLUSION
Weedy rice is one of the most damaging global weeds and a major threat to DSR systems. In this study we have developed a proof-of-concept method to allow selective weedy rice control in rice crops. We call for herbicide discovery programmes and research to identify candidate safener and herbicide combinations to achieve selective herbicide control of weedy rice and alleviate weed infestations in global rice crops.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Roberto Busi, Bhagirath Singh Chauhan, Stephen B. Powles, Francesco Vidotto

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Oryza (weeds)	Rice (Oryza)