BASF’s new Provisia rice system under development will provide a new tool for post-emergence control of a broad range of grass weeds, including ALS-resistant grasses, weedy rice, and red rice.

Developed through traditional breeding techniques, registration is expected as early as 2016 in the U.S. with other countries to follow.

The new system is comprised of Provisia seed containing the Provisia trait which allows farmers to safely apply Provisia herbicide - an ACCase or Group 1 herbicide site of action.

Although Provisia herbicide will initially control grass weeds, BASF is working on combinations with other herbicides to provide control of broadleaf and sedge weeds.

This new system will provide a different site of action to help rice growers control ALS-resistant weeds, BASF says.

It was designed to be used as a companion to the Clearfield production system for rice by allowing growers to rotate herbicide sites of action for controlling grass weeds, including weedy rice and red rice.

This provides a sustainable way to manage the risk of developing weeds that are resistant to available herbicides.

BASF began initial research on this new system in 2008 and filed patent applications in 2009.

Programs with seed breeding partners to develop elite Provisia seed began in 2012. This system could be available to growers possibly in 2-3 years.

The most advanced Provisia seed breeding program is at Louisiana State University (LSU). LSU is a proven leading rice breeding program recognized globally for breeding success.

This May, BASF and RiceTec completed an agreement under which Provisia rice system breeding will take place. RiceTec is geographically the broadest hybrid rice breeding program globally and has led the introduction of hybrid rice in the U.S.

BASF recommends that rice growers rotate the Provisia rice system with the Clearfield production system for rice to create a sustainable weed control program for grass weeds, weedy rice and red rice control.

This would optimize weed control results for long-term rice production success.