The Cyperaceae family include the most important weeds found in the state of Rio Grande do Sul rice fields. The objective of this work was to evaluate Cyperus esculentus control and rice cv. Qualimax 1 selectivity and grain yield in function of the irrigation starting times, application times and penoxsulam rates. The trial was set up under field conditions in the agricultural year of 2005/2006 and was arranged in a completely randomized block design with split plots and four replications. Treatments were in a factorial scheme (2 x 3 x 5) and consisted of two herbicide application times (early and late), three irrigation starting times (1, 15 and 30 days after treatment), and herbicide rates (0, 24, 36, 48 and 60 g ha-1 ). The herbicide penoxsulam showed selectivity to the rice culture regardless of the association between the evaluated treatments. The application of penoxsulam, combined with irrigation starting 15 days after herbicide application promoted efficient control of C. esculentus. Highest grain yield was obtained by applying penoxsulam at the rates of 36 g ha-1 or above, regardless of the application time, and when early irrigation was carried out.
Oryza sativa; penoxsulam; crop irrigation; application times; cyperaceas
