Rice farmers in the region Huetar Norte participated in a seminar that will allow them to know the harmful features of the invasive grass species (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) that affects land where grains are grown.
Weeds, spread by the wind, were detected in fields where rice is grown, located in the community of Villa Hermosa de San José in Upala, in Huetar Norte region.
This type of grass has, at the bottom of the blade, very sharp, hair-thin, small needles, which irritate the skin of farmers.
The plant is one of many weed populations that have affected rice cultivation, due to their resistance to herbicides, a feature shared by other weeds.
The activity is sponsored by the specialists of the Agricultural Experimental Station “Fabio Baudrit” at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National Rice Corporation (CONARROZ).
Minor Barboza, CEO of CONARROZ reported that the Direction of Research and Technology Transfer (DITT), will continue this cycle of workshops on weed resistance and use of microorganisms in the rice-growing regions.
This year, a plant pathology laboratory was installed in Huetar Norte, Upala, where producers are assisted in terms of diseases and pests in grain plantations.