Given that resistance of Echinochloa sp. to quinclorac is widely distributed in rice fields in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, and that the standard tests are relatively slow in showing resistance, a quick test must be developed to identify seeds from Echinochloa plants resistant to quinclorac. The trials were conducted under greenhouse and germination chamber conditions. In the germination chamber trial, seeds of four Echinochloa biotypes, characterized as resistant or susceptible to quinclorac, were sown at concentrations of 0, 3.75, 18.75, 37.5, 187.5, 375 and 1875 mg L-1 of quinclorac, and the trial was conducted at 25ºC for 14 days. Under greenhouse conditions, the same biotypes were sown and treated with rates of 0, 5.5, 187.5, 375, 750, 1500 and 3000 g ha¹ of quinclorac. Under greenhouse conditions, dry mass and plant height were evaluated 25 days after emergence, and under germination chamber conditions, dry mass and plant height were evaluated 14 days after sowing (DAS), with survival being evaluated 7 DAS. The quick test required less time, labor and material, being as efficient as the greenhouse trial. In addition, it could differentiate both resistant biotypes in function of the resistance level. It is suggested that the concentration of 375 mg L-1 of quinclorac be used as the standard for the quick test, since it showed an adequate safety margin in separating seeds from the resistant and susceptible biotypes.
Echinochloa; resistance; identification
