Clincher^® SF Offers Rice Growers Consistent Post-Flood Weed Control

Indianapolis, IN - June 01, 2005

For reliable postemergence control of escaped grass weeds in rice, growers and consultants find Clincher^® SF herbicide provides all the protection they need. 

“I’ve had excellent results with Clincher,” says Ron Baxley, ag consultant from Pocahontas, Ark.  “When a lot of fields are too dry to spray, we fertilize and flood up and then use Clincher. It offers us flexibility.”

Clincher also worked well for Kevin Fisher, who used it to treat an 80-acre field that was missed with a preplant burndown.  Fisher, crop consultant at Professional Agricultural Services in Wynne, Ark., noted that when the application was made, the weeds were 1 foot tall or better, and beyond salvage.  But, after using Clincher on the field, he was happy with its performance. 

Data averaged from seven studies conducted in Arkansas and Mississippi during 2003 show that Clincher^® SF herbicide used for post-flood grass control provided better results than RiceStar plus Whip, states Ralph Lassiter, product technology specialist for Dow AgroSciences. Clincher provided 80 percent or better control of barnyardgrass (including propanil- and quinclorac-resistant biotypes), sprangletop and broadleaf signalgrass one and two weeks after flood. 

Bob Scott, extension weed specialist, University of Arkansas, has had good success with Clincher, and found it worked well when he used it last year on a field that contained Facet- and propanil-resistant weeds. "Clincher is a valuable tool," says Scott.  "And, at the 15 oz./A rate plus crop oil, it took out the resistant areas."

Scott recommends applying Clincher within seven days after the flood is on. He adds that good coverage is essential and that weeds should be out of the water, because Clincher^® SF herbicide is only active on the tillers it contacts. He says moisture is also important.  "Growers should follow the rule to apply Clincher to plants with wet feet," he points out. 

In addition, Scott notes that Clincher can be tank-mixed with 1.4 lb./A to 1.3 lb./A of Facet for control of bigger weeds, if needed. 

"I won't use a whole lot of RiceStar post-flood because Clincher is a better product," Scott says. "Prior to flood with the same good conditions, the products are similar. But once the flood is on, I would use Clincher."

Although Fisher made an application of RiceStar HT herbicide in 2005, he considers Clincher^® SF herbicide the better of the two products because it provides a broader spectrum of control and works better on larger grass weeds. 

Baxley says he does not plan to use RiceStar because he’s happy with the performance of Clincher. “Clincher tends to perform better and is more consistent.” 

When applying Clincher, both Baxley and Fisher recommend that it be applied when a shallow flood of 2 to 4 inches is maintained to reach smaller grasses. They say once the product is applied, water levels should be increased to reduce favorable conditions for weed growth. 

Since its market introduction, Clincher has shown excellent control of knotgrass and good suppression of other paspalum species and perennial barnyardgrass, unlike RiceStar, which does not claim control of either of these grass species. In addition, growers can flush or flood within two hours after applying Clincher.  Unlike RiceStar, Clincher^® SF herbicide is labeled for use on all rice varieties, including short grain and aromatic varieties, and can be applied safely to rice from the one-leaf stage up to 60 days preharvest.

Always read and follow label directions.  

For Editorial Information:

Amanda Powell
Bader Rutter & Associates
(770) 356-1480
apowell@bader-rutter.com