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Published on: January 28, 2020
Weed control in rice with metham-sodium
A C Sparacino1, R Ferro, N Riva
1Università di Milano, Dipartimento di Produzione vegetale Via Celoria 2, IT-20133, Milano, Italy.
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences
|March 30, 2007
Summary
Metam-sodium effectively controls red rice in rice cultivation, with optimal weed management achieved when rice is sown five days after treatment. This soil fumigant demonstrated selectivity and improved rice grain yield without harming crops.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Weed Management
- Soil Science
Background:
- Red rice (Oryza sativa var. selvatica) is a pervasive and difficult-to-eradicate weed in global rice cultivation.
- Effective weed control strategies are crucial for maintaining rice yield and quality.
- Soil fumigants like metam-sodium offer potential herbicidal solutions for pre-sowing weed management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of metam-sodium at varying application rates and planting intervals for weed control in rice.
- To assess the impact of metam-sodium on red rice and other common weeds, as well as its selectivity towards rice plants.
- To determine the effect of metam-sodium treatment on rice grain yield.
Main Methods:
- A split-plot field experiment was conducted using three rates of metam-sodium (300, 450, 600 l/ha) and three planting times (5, 12, 18 days post-treatment).
- Pre-sowing chemical treatments were followed by flooding; rice (Loto variety) was sown at 150 kg/ha.
- Weed control was visually assessed based on ground cover percentage at 3, 4, and 5 weeks post-treatment; rice selectivity and grain yield were also measured.
Main Results:
- Metam-sodium demonstrated excellent selectivity, causing no injury to rice plants.
- The 450 l/ha rate achieved 92-100% red rice control across observation periods; other rates also showed significant efficacy (82-94%).
- Higher metam-sodium rates were more effective against Echinochloa crus-galli, especially early in the season. Optimal rice grain yield was observed when sowing occurred 5 days after treatment.
Conclusions:
- Metam-sodium is a safe and effective herbicide for controlling red rice and other weeds in rice cultivation.
- Application rates of 450 l/ha provide high efficacy, and a 5-day interval between treatment and sowing maximizes rice grain yield.
- While effective against key weeds, metam-sodium showed limited efficacy against Heteranthera reniformis, Bulboschoenus maritimus, and Lindernia spp.
