Red rice control in rice

Several experiments were carried out in Italy to test red rice control methods in rice pre- and postplanting. In rice pre-planting and in pre-emergence of the weed the mixture of dimethenamid + pretilachlor ( 1.25+ 0.64 kg a.i./ha) in flooded soil gave the best results and prevented red rice germination by about 90%. The results of the experiments carried out to control red rice in rice pre-planting and in post-emergence of the weed showed that minimum tillage and good soil moisture conditions favoured red rice emergence, creating the best conditions for post-emergence control, while ploughing and flooding remarkably affected weed germination. Harrowing or shallow ploughing were significantly less effective than chemical treatment with dalapon to control red rice seedlings. Some experiments also showed that cycloxydim (0.95 kg a.i./ha) and clethodim (0.28 kg a.i./ha) were as effective as dalapon, and indicated the possibility of replacing this herbicide at much lower dosages. Red rice control in crop post-planting was studied by testing the efficacy of the cutting equipment and the wiping bar. The interventions at 9 days from the flowering of red rice panicles with the double pass of the cutting equipment or the application of glyphosate (7.2 % a.i. concentration) and cycloxydim (4% a.i. concentration) affected the viability of red rice seeds by more than 90%.