Solving weed infestation in the summer-autumn rice crop

Weed pressure rises at the start of the rainy season

As the summer-autumn rice crop enters its peak production period, many localities in An Giang are facing increasing pressure from weeds and pests due to unpredictable weather conditions. Early-season rains not only create favorable conditions for rice growth but also stimulate the rapid spread of weeds such as barnyard grass, goosegrass, and sedges, which compete for nutrients and, if not controlled in a timely manner, directly affect yields.

Production realities show that in many acid sulfate soil areas of An Giang Province, weed management remains a major challenge for rice farmers. Many growers have to spend more on labor, crop protection chemicals, and repeated spraying, yet weed control results still fall short of expectations.

In this context, the search for effective weed management solutions that reduce labor costs and suit local farming conditions has become an urgent need for producers.

Recently, in Thanh Loc Commune, An Giang, Corteva Agriscience Viet Nam organized a seminar titled “Xevelo 120EC - Easier Weed Control for Sustainable Farming,” attracting more than 400 farmers, agricultural input dealers, scientists, representatives of specialized agencies, and local authorities.

At the event, farmers received updates on pest and disease developments in the fields, shared production experiences, and gained access to new solutions for managing weeds and rice pests.

According to the organizer, Xevelo 120EC is a post-emergence herbicide that uses Rinskor™ technology and controls many hard-to-manage weeds in rice fields, including barnyard grass, goosegrass, sedges, sprangletop, nutsedge, arrowhead weed, and several broadleaf weed species.

A notable feature of the product is that it is recommended for a single application at 10–12 days after sowing, when weeds are at the 2-3 leaf stage. The herbicide is rapidly absorbed, is less affected by rain after spraying, and remains effective even in acid sulfate soils, which are considered challenging conditions for many herbicides currently on the market.

Farmers prioritize labor-saving and high-efficiency solutions

Mr. Pham Tien Dung, a farmer in Son Kien Commune, An Giang Province, said that weed management on acid sulfate soils has always been a major concern during the summer-autumn rice crop.

In the most recent crop, after applying Xevelo 120EC according to the recommended dosage of 1.25 liters per hectare at 10-12 days after sowing, Mr. Dũng said the product delivered highly effective weed control, helping keep the rice field clean while significantly reducing labor requirements.

“What I appreciate most is that only one application is needed, yet the effect lasts for a long time, helping reduce both costs and field management time,” Mr. Dung shared.

In addition to weed pressure, rice farmers are also facing increasing threats from pests such as brown planthoppers and rice leafhoppers. These pests are likely to develop rapidly under hot and humid conditions, especially from panicle initiation through flowering.

At the event, Corteva also introduced Hibifen 220WG, which combines Pyraxalt™ and Jemvelva™ technologies to simultaneously manage brown planthoppers and young rice leaffolders.

Mr. Bui Van Hung, a farmer with more than 25 years of rice-growing experience in Son Kien Commune, An Giang Province, said he is always concerned before each crop season, particularly the summer-autumn crop, due to the challenge of controlling the two most serious pests: brown planthoppers and rice leaffolders. According to Mr. Hung, the use of Hibifen 220WG introduced by Corteva Agriscience Viet Nam provides an integrated solution that helps farmers significantly save both spraying costs and labor.

After applying the product at the recommended timing during the panicle initiation stage before flowering, he observed good control of both brown planthoppers and rice leaffolders, making it easier to manage his rice fields.

“After using Hibifen 220WG over several rice crops, I’m very satisfied with the product. Just one spray at the panicle initiation stage, before flowering, at a dosage of 250 grams per hectare delivers clear results. A few days later, when I checked the field, brown planthoppers were gone and young rice leaffolders at stages 1-2 were also effectively controlled. It helps me save labor and production costs, giving me more time with my family,” he said.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hung An, Rice Portfolio Manager at Corteva Agriscience Viet Nam, agricultural production is increasingly being affected by climate change and rising input costs. Over the years, Corteva Agriscience Viet Nam has introduced crop protection solutions that help farmers reduce labor, while effectively controlling weeds and pests. These factors are increasingly considered important for improving farming efficiency and supporting the sustainable development of the rice industry.

Currently, the company is researching crop protection solutions that are effective, environmentally friendly, and aligned with farmers' practical needs.

These new solutions not only help protect crops but also help optimize yields, lower production costs, and promote a more sustainable agricultural sector.