Non-selective herbicides applied at the maturity phase of flooded rice

Abstract

One of the major limiting factor for increasing flooded rice yield potential is the interference exerted by red rice, a weedy grass. Botanically, both belong to the same species (Oryza sativa L.), which limits the utilization of selective herbicides for the control. With the objetive of investigating the effects of non-selective herbicides applied at the maturity phase of flooded rice, on agronomic characteristics of the crop, two field experiments and also laboratory evaluations were conducted during the growing seasons of 1997/98 and 1998/99. Treatments compared the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate, and paraquat, applied at two rates and at two times, the growth regulator maleic hydrazide, applied at two times, and one check without applications of chemicals. The rice cultivar tested was IRGA-416, an early maturity variety. The management practices used were those recommended for the crop, which grew in the presence of a red rice infestation. Cultivated rice characteristics evaluated were grain yield and its components, milling yield and harvest anticipation. The non-selective herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate, and paraquat, when applied at physiological maturity stage of the cultivated rice, in general do not affect negatively the agronomic characteristics of the crop and present effects equivalent to those of the growth regulator maleic hydrazide. Differences in rates and in application times generally do not differ in relation to their actions. Desiccation action of the herbicides hastens rice grain moisture reduction and allow harvest anticipation. After the stage when flooded rice grains reach a moisture level of 34%, the maleic hydrazide growth regulator does not affect negatively crop characteristics.