Use of propanil and quinclorac tank mixtures for broadleaf weed control on rice (Oryza sativa) levees

Broadleaf weed control on rice levees is an emerging problem faced by growers and consultants in Arkansas, USA. Field experiments were conducted at Lonoke and Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the effectiveness of various postemergence herbicides applied alone or in tank mixture with propanil or quinclorac for large-sized broadleaf weed control on rice levees. Rice injury was minimal (≤5%) from all herbicides at 2 weeks after treatment (WAT), and no injury was observed at 4 WAT. Sida spinosa (prickly sida) and Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) were the most difficult-to-control weeds on levees. Of the herbicides applied alone, 2,4-D generally supplied the highest and most consistent weed control across the six species evaluated. Quinclorac was generally a better tank-mix partner than propanil for control of the weed spectrum evaluated. Propanil at 4.48 kg/ha lowered the activity of several systemic herbicides on S. spinosa, Polygonum pensylvanicum (Pennsylvania smartweed), and Ipomoea wrightii (palmleaf morningglory). Quinclorac plus 2,4-D was the most consistent tank mixture, providing more than 80% control of all weeds at 2 and 4 WAT, except A. palmeri.