Biological Control of Lantana

Abstract

Experiments conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, showed that all commonly marketed formulations and derivatives of 2,4-D and MCPA were equally effective in controlling barnyard grass [Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.] and other annual weeds in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L). In the Philippines, these phenoxy acid herbicides cost US$2.50/ha as liquid formulations and US$5.50/ha as granular formulations. These low-cost herbicides provide excellent alternatives to hand weeding in transplanted tropical rice. Other herbicides which can control weeds before or after the weeds emerge are more expensive than 2,4-D or MCPA. Some of these selective herbicides, such as butachlor and TCE-styrene + 2,4-D, are in the Philippine market. Their prices vary from US$8 to US$12/ha.

For direct-seeded flooded rice, granular formulations of several new herbicides, such as butachlor, benthio-carb and C-288 (chemistry not yet disclosed), were highly selective in controlling barnyardgrass and other annual weeds under tropical conditions. C-288 controls algae in addition to annual weeds in direct-seeded flooded rice. Of these three promising herbicides, only butachlor is marketed in the Philippines at US$8/ha. For upland rice, the chemicals which look promising are butachlor, benthiocarb and fluorodifen. Butachlor liquid is available to rice farmers in Asia at about US$16/ha. These herbicides provide an excellent alternative to hand weeding. Generally a complete job of weed control in upland rice requires more than one hand weeding.