BASF launches Clearfield® rice cultivar in Santa Maria, Brazil

BASF recently released cultivar GURI INTA CL ® rice in Santa Maria- RS during the VIII Brazilian Irrigated Rice Congress, which is a new rice variety, adapted to the climate of Rio Grande do Sul, and intended to improve the quality and productivity of “Gaucho’s” crops starting next harvest. "This selection reinforces BASF's commitment to control red rice and allows better gains for farmers in the state," said Eduardo Gobbo, South Cereal Crops Marketing Manager at BASF. Considering the estimated production of eight million tons in 2012/13, the state is the largest rice producer in Brazil, according to data from the National Supply Company (Conab).

Besides tolerance to Only® and Kifix® herbicides used for chemical handling of Red Rice, GURI INTA CL ® cultivar reduces lodging (lying plant) and provides production stability. The cultivar was also efficient when tested for cooking performance promoted by rice processing industries in the state. The studies for the implementation of the variety started four seasons ago, based on the Clearfield ® Production System: certified seed, use of Only ® and Kifix ®herbicides and the Sustainability Program System. "We preserve the technology with the proposed handling and we made the production available in the best areas," explains Gobbo.

Considering the Red Rice invasion, crops in Rio Grande do Sul had constantly dropped in productivity. In ten years of operation, the system promoted a gradual recovery of income. Currently, the productivity index reaches seven and a half tons per hectare according to Conab.

The producer must have some care to better utilize the technology, such as irrigate in recommended stage and clean the machinery. BASF also reinforces the rice producer should do crop rotation every two seasons to eliminate plants that might have acquired tolerance to the herbicide. About 60% of the rice area in Rio Grande do Sul is grown with the Clearfield® Production System.

The VIII Brazilian Irrigated Rice Congress occurred between August 12th-15th at Park Hotel Morotin in Santa Maria (RS). The theme was "Evaluating scenarios for sustainable rice production, and the event tried to bring together researchers, practitioners and students of the rice sector for technical discussions on the irrigated rice handling. The event was sponsored by the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) and Society Southern Brazilian Irrigated Rice Society (Sosbai).

Apply only the recommended doses. Dispose properly packaging and leftover products. Include other methods of control within the program of Integrated Pest Handling (IPM) when available and appropriate. Agricultural use only. Kifix ® and Only®products are temporarily restricted in Parana state. Registration at MAPA: Kifix ® No. 07907 and Only®No. 05203.