Cinmethylin - a New Herbicide Developed for Use in Rice

Abstract

Cinmethylin (trade mark ARGOLD) is a novel herbicide representing chemistry in the cineole family. It has been developed as a herbicide for use in transplanted rice at low application rates of 25 to 100 g ai/ha.

The development of cinmethylin took account of the difficulties of using a herbicide in rice - of ensuring crop safety while controlling weeds which may be similar to the crop and also the environmental constraints associated with herbicides in aquatic systems. Consideration was taken of agronomic and environmental conditions, and their interaction with activity of the herbicide.

Development in the field was matched by an extensive programme of research in controlled environment conditions to help predict and interpret field performance.

Soil type, and particularly organic matter content, emerged as a key factor in managing the safe and effective use of cinmethylin, particularly in machine transplanted rice. Temperature was of secondary importance.