Efficacy of the HPPD inhibitors benzobicyclon and tefuryltrione in rice fields planted using automated transplanters

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbicide mixtures in controlling annual and perennial weeds in paddy fields where rice seedlings were transplanted using automated transplanters. The herbicide mixtures were benzobicyclon+pyrimisulfan SC (BP SC), tefuryltrione+ipfencarbazone SC (TI SC) and benzobicyclon+imazosulfuron+pyriminobac-methyl SC (BIP SC). The annual weeds Monochoria vaginalis, Murdannia keisak, Aeschynomene indica and Echinochloa crus-galli and perennial weeds Sagittaria trifolia, Eleocharis kuroguwai and Scirpus juncoides were identified in the experimental sites. Experimental results showed that both annual and perennial weeds were effectively controlled by the application of these herbicide mixtures. On the other hand, these herbicides did not have any effect on rice height, number of tillers, and culm and panicle length. The yield in herbicide treatments was similar to that in hand-weeded control. The results of this study indicated that HPPD inhibiting herbicides mixtures could be used to provide an effective weed control in paddy fields of Korea.