Basf announces first rice hybrid during event in Rio Grande do Sul

Basf's first hybrid rice seeds will be launched in Brazil. The news will be announced at the 30th edition of the Official Opening of the Rice Harvest, an event held from February 12th to 14th in Capão do Leão (RS).

At the event, Basf presents an experimental area with the hybrid that will be launched on the Brazilian market in the 2020/21 harvest. The novelty will have the technology Clearfield, used in approximately 80% of the country's rice areas to control weeds in cultivation.

“Basf enters the rice hybrid market to offer seeds with high production potential and grain quality suited to market demand. While in conventional varieties the evolution of the production ceiling usually ranges between 1% and 2% per year, the increase with hybrids can be 20% to 25% compared to conventional varieties”, explains José Mauro Costa Rodrigues Guma, manager of Rice and Wheat Seeds from Basf.

The company invests around 900 million euros annually to bring technologies that meet the needs of farmers and contribute to their legacy. Quality rice seeds avoid impurities that can harm the crop, including resistant weeds, such as red rice. If not done properly, managing resistant weeds can increase production costs by between 25% and 50%.

In the coming years, rice hybrids will also rely on technology Provisia, for the control of narrow-leaf weeds. The seeds will be sold directly by Basf, through its distributors. Basf partners who already use the technology Clearfield will also have access to Provisia, continuing the joint work in favor of rice farming.

The rice hybrid will be another tool to be used in the rice – soybean production system. “Basfestá is committed to the longevity of rice crops. For cultivation to be viable and profitable, it is necessary to rotate different technologies and crops. We focus on the production system because farmers need to have high productivity, with quality, today, tomorrow and in the future”, says Vitor Bernardes, Rice and Wheat Marketing Manager at Basf.

Rice grass control

Another Basf highlight at the event is the herbicide Aura 200, an efficient tool for the effective management of weeds, with an emphasis on barnyard grass and other important grasses that are difficult to control.

Basf develops solutions for all phases of rice cultivation, with seeds, biotechnology and crop protection. The company is a long-term partner with farmers. The constant supply of innovation demonstrates the commitment to the longevity of the crop, aiming to increase grain productivity. 

What: Opening of the Rice Harvest

When: February 12 to 14, 2020

Where: Embrapa headquarters in Capão do Leão (RS)

Website: http://www.federarroz.com.br