RiceTec partners with Adama on new herbicide tolerance system

RiceTec and Adama recently announced they are collaborating on developing new herbicide tolerance systems that will give rice producers more options for controlling problem weeds in their commercial rice crops.

RiceTec will place the new technology in its latest hybrids while Adama will supply the herbicides for their new FullPage Rice Cropping Solution, which was announced during the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference in Baton Rouge, La.

“As RiceTec continues its commitment to revolutionize rice production, we see this collaboration as a great step forward in supporting our growers,” said Mike Gumina, RiceTec CEO. “Both global brands will work to provide a total-package weed management system that is fully supported by a team of technical service providers to make a positive impact on today’s farmers.”

“At Adama, we are driven by providing growers simple, straight forward solutions,” said Rob Williams, Adama’s vice president for North America. “This collaboration between Adama and RiceTec exemplifies simplicity by providing today’s rice growers with a complete seed and weed management system to get the most from every production acre.”

The new project was announced by Brian Ottis, RiceTec’s global solutions development lead, and Dave Feist, the asset and project leader for the FullPage Cropping Solution and development lead for Adama.

Limited launch for 2018

Ottis said the new technology will have a limited launch this fall with a full availability of the new weed management system by the fall of 2018. It could eventually include IMI and ACCase tolerance traits and herbicides.

“This is an IMI-based tolerance solution, and, pending regulatory approval, there will be two herbicides that will be labeled for use with the FullPage system,” said Ottis. “The first will be known as Preface, and this will be a two-pound-per-gallon formulation of imazethapyr. The second will be Postscript, which will be a one-pound-per-gallon formulation of imazamox.

“This program will offer some advantages that we will be discussing later on,” he said. “But the program promises to bring the top genetics into the market. There won’t be any lag, if you will, in yield. We’re incorporating a gene and traits into all of our leading genetics, including our high quality materials.”

Like other herbicide-tolerant rice technologies of recent years, the FullPage system does not involve GMOs. The tolerance was developed from a naturally-occurring rice line that is resistant to the two herbicides.

“This is a new step for Adama, and, hopefully, one of the first steps for us moving forward to additional pieces, which we have in this agreement,” said David Feist, development lead for Adama. “That will include, first, this IMI-based system, the FullPage system of which we’ll be providing the herbicide products, Preface and Postcript.

Further innovation

“This may lead to further innovation in that we’re currently working in the development projects for additional ACCase chemistry, which could be coming to the marketplace in the next two to four years.”

Feist said he believes the FullPage system will provide farmers with a second choice. “It is a system that’s quite similar to Clearfield, but it also means the integration of two companies that are working on multiple agreements for the futures

“When it comes to the farmer’s perspective, we want to represent one voice when it comes to any issues, questions, concerns or servicing. Our goal is to act as one when working with the grower.”