Solving the weed problem in the summer-autumn rice crop in the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong Delta is currently in the peak of the summer-autumn crop season, and many farmers have noted the effectiveness of new solutions in managing weeds and pests, contributing to reduced costs and increased productivity.

Weed pressure increases at the beginning of the rainy season.

As the peak of the summer-autumn rice crop season approaches, many localities in An Giang province are facing increased pressure from weeds and pests due to erratic weather patterns. The early season rains not only create favorable conditions for rice growth but also promote the vigorous growth of weeds such as rice grass, foxtail, and sedge, which compete for nutrients and directly affect yield if not dealt with promptly.

A large number of farmers in An Giang province attended a program introducing solutions for weed and pest management in rice cultivation, and updating their knowledge on production methods adapted to adverse weather conditions during the summer-autumn crop season. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

In reality, agricultural production shows that in many acidic soil areas of An Giang province, weed management remains a major challenge for rice farmers. Many farmers incur additional costs for labor, pesticides, and multiple sprayings, yet the weed control effectiveness remains unsatisfactory.

In this context, finding effective weed management solutions that reduce labor and are suitable for farming conditions is becoming an urgent need for producers.

Recently, in Thanh Loc commune (An Giang province), Corteva Agriscience Vietnam organized a seminar titled "Xevelo 120EC - Easy-to-use herbicide for sustainable farming," attracting over 400 farmers, agricultural supply dealers, scientists, representatives from specialized agencies, and local authorities.

At the event, farmers were updated on the pest situation in their fields, shared production experiences, and accessed new solutions in managing weeds and rice pests.

According to the organizers, Xevelo 120EC is a post-emergence herbicide using Rinskor™ technology, capable of controlling many difficult-to-control weed groups in rice fields such as barnyard grass, foxtail, sedge, rice grass, sedge, water hyacinth, and several other broadleaf weeds.

Notably, the product is recommended for single application 10-12 days after sowing, when weeds are in the 2-3 leaf stage. The herbicide is rapidly absorbed, minimally affected by post-spray rain, and maintains effectiveness even on acidic soils, which are considered challenging conditions for many current herbicides.

The seminar "Xevelo 120EC - Effortless weed control, sustainable farming" attracted more than 400 farmers, scientists , and experts to exchange solutions to improve rice production efficiency in An Giang. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Farmers prioritize solutions that reduce labor and increase efficiency.

Mr. Pham Tien Dung, a farmer from Son Kien commune, An Giang province, said: "Managing weeds on acidic soil is always a concern during the summer-autumn rice crop."

In the recent rice crop season, after applying Xevelo 120EC as recommended at a dosage of 1.25 liters/ha during the 10-12 day post-sown stage, Mr. Dung's family achieved high weed control effectiveness, keeping the rice field weed-free and significantly reducing labor costs.

"What I appreciate is that it only needs to be treated once but the effect lasts a long time, reducing costs and time spent on field care," Mr. Dung shared.

Besides weeds, rice farmers are now also facing pressure from pests such as brown planthoppers and leaf-rolling caterpillars. These pests are at risk of proliferating strongly in hot and humid weather conditions, especially from the heading to flowering stage.

At the event, Corteva also introduced Hibifen 220WG, a solution combining Pyraxalt™ and Jemvelva™ technologies, aimed at simultaneously managing brown planthoppers and young leaf-rolling caterpillars.

Mr. Bui Van Hung, a farmer with over 25 years of experience in rice production in Son Kien commune (An Giang province), is always worried before each harvest, especially the summer-autumn crop, where the most challenging pest management is dealing with two main pests: brown planthopper and leaf-rolling caterpillar. Using Hibifen 220WG from Corteva Agriscience Vietnam, he found that this integrated solution significantly saves on costs and spraying labor.

Farmers in Son Kien commune, An Giang province, share their experience using Xevelo 120EC in weed management on acidic soil, contributing to reduced labor and protecting summer-autumn rice yields. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

After applying it at the right time during the heading and pre-flowering stages, he noted that it was quite effective in controlling brown planthoppers and leaf-rolling caterpillars, which facilitated rice field care.

“Having used Hibifen 220WG for many rice crops, I'm very satisfied with this product. Spraying it once during the heading stage, before flowering, at a dose of 250 grams/ha, shows clear results. A few days later, when I check the field, I no longer see brown planthoppers, and the first and second instar leaf-rolling caterpillars are also gone. It saves me labor and costs, giving me more time with my family.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Hung An, Director of the rice product line at Corteva Agriscience Vietnam, in the context of agricultural production increasingly affected by climate change and pressure from input costs, Corteva Agriscience Vietnam has been providing plant protection solutions for many years to help farmers reduce labor, effectively control weeds and pests. These solutions are considered crucial factors in improving farming efficiency and developing the rice industry in a sustainable direction.

Currently, the company is focusing on researching solutions for crop protection that are effective, environmentally friendly, and suitable for the practical needs of farmers.

These new solutions not only help protect crops but also contribute to optimizing productivity, reducing production costs, and moving towards more sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Le Thanh Hung, Deputy Head of the Crop Production Department, An Giang Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, stated that the period from June to August is when many pests and diseases can spread widely.

Therefore, farmers need to regularly inspect their fields, monitor damage levels to make appropriate treatment decisions, and avoid overuse of pesticides. In addition, choosing the right weed and pest management techniques from the beginning of the season will help reduce costs, improve production efficiency, and protect rice yields.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/giai-bai-toan-co-dai-trong-vu-lua-he-thu-tai-dbscl-d814044.html