Use of Imazosulfuron in Herbicide Programs for Drill-Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa) in the Mid-South United States

Abstract

Research was conducted in 2009 and 2010 to evaluate influence of imazosulfuron rate and application timing on weed control in drill-seeded rice at Stuttgart, AR, and to evaluate imazosulfuron-containing herbicide programs in drill-seeded rice at Keiser and Stuttgart, AR. Weed species evaluated included barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, hemp sesbania, and yellow nutsedge. Imazosulfuron applied at 224 and 336 g ai ha−1during PRE, early POST (EPOST), or preflood (PREFLD) growth periods provided similar control of all weeds. Imazosulfuron applied EPOST or PREFLD controlled hemp sesbania and yellow nutsedge ≥ 93% both years at 5 and 7 wk after planting (WAP), except in 2009 when hemp sesbania control was ≤ 79% at 7 WAP. In 2010, because of inadequate rainfall, hemp sesbania and yellow nutsedge control with PRE-applied imazosulfuron was ≤29% at 5 and 7 WAP. Imazosulfuron plus clomazone PRE followed by (fb) quinclorac plus propanil EPOST and imazosulfuron plus quinclorac EPOST fb thiobencarb plus propanil PREFLD programs controlled hemp sesbania and barnyardgrass (in at least two site-years), and yellow nutsedge and broadleaf signalgrass (in at least one site-year) greater than or equal to clomazone plus quinclorac PRE fb propanil plus halosulfuron PRELD (standard program). No rice injury was observed with any herbicide program. Rice yield with all imazosulfuron-containing herbicide programs (6,630 to 8,130 kg ha−1) was similar to the standard herbicide program (7,240 kg ha−1). Imazosulfuron in mixture with clomazone, propanil, or quinclorac can be incorporated into herbicide programs of mid-South rice production for the control of broadleaf weeds and sedges.