Interference caused by red rice (Oryza sativa L.) on cultivated rice (O. sativa L.) is the main factor that limits increasing grain yield potential of the cereal in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This literature review has the objective of describing ecophysiological characteristics of red rice, as well as to discuss strategies that favour cultivated rice in the competition process for environmental resources or that limit its establishment. Due to morphophysiological similarities between both, red rice control cannot be accomplished through the use of selective herbicides alone, requiring the combination of several integrated actions, involving preventive, cultural, physical and chemical methods. The presence of a high red rice population makes rice production impracticable, especially when the field extension turns hand weeding impossible. In such a condition, the most effective methods of control have been: the usage of pre-germinated seeds, early soil preparation combined with no-till seeding, and adaptation of crop rotation.
Oryza sativa; characteristics; interference; competition; control methods