Horizon Ag and BASF have entered into a formal agreement to launch the Provisia Rice System, beginning in 2018. The system provides a new tool for postemergence control of a broad range of grass weeds, including ALS-resistant grasses, weedy rice and red rice, according to a press release that announced the pact.
Like the Clearfield Production System for rice, the Provisia Rice System was developed by BASF through traditional breeding techniques.
“At a time when the rice industry is facing significant challenges, this partnership is an example of two industry leaders coming together again to bring forward solutions that improve profitability for U.S. rice producers,” said Tim Walker, Horizon Ag General Manager.
That sentiment was echoed by Nick Fassler, Manager, Technical Marketing Group at BASF.
“We see the Provisia Rice System as an excellent complement to the Clearfield Production System for rice, providing growers with multiple solutions to control red rice, volunteer rice and challenging grass weeds,” said Fassler. “Growers will have three unique offers in the rice market: conventional rice, the Clearfield system and then Provisia. We can rotate between those to control different types of red rice and off-types of rice. Provisia will provide the rice market a new active ingredient that will help with those difficult-to-control grasses as well.”
The new system is composed 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 that will also provide control of broadleaf and sedge weeds. The first Provisia rice lines have been developed in an agreement between BASF and the LSU AgCenter, where Dr. Steve Linscombe and his team have been working with the new technology.
“Provisia rice will be an excellent addition to the tool box of southern U.S. rice producers,” said Linscombe. “It will provide very good control of red rice and other grassy weeds. It will be especially beneficial in those fields where weedy rice can no longer be controlled with the Clearfield system. The LSU AgCenter has put a huge effort into the development of the first Provisia varieties over the previous five years. PVL01 will have very good yield and quality and be a good launch variety for the Provisia system.”
Horizon Ag will work with LSU to evaluate and bring Provisia rice varieties to market for commercial planting. The Provisia Rice System will be a strong addition to the Horizon Ag variety lineup, said Walker, joining Clearfield varieties that have elevated potential productivity for producers throughout the southern rice belt, while providing industry-leading weed control.
“We believe Provisia rice will help extend the life of the Clearfield system where it continues to have efficacy on grass and weedy rice,” said Walker, “while also improving control options in areas where the Clearfield system is not as effective today.
“We look forward to working closely with BASF, LSU and our seed industry partners in the coming months as we get closer to the commercial launch of this technology in Horizon Ag varieties. In the meantime, growers are encouraged to attend Horizon Ag field days this summer to see the performance of the Provisia Rice System.”
