SCS 115 CL: first rice cultivar for use as Clearfield system of rice production for Santa Catarina State

Abstract

Santa Catarina State ranks the first in rice yield and second in total rice production in Brazil. This
performance was reached mainly due to the new cultivars released by Agricultural Research Institute of Santa Catarina State – Empasc –, followed by Epagri, the present Institute. These cultivars were responsible for an increase in grain yield due to its high yield potential. Even though the outstanding situation of the rice industry of Santa Catarina some old problems still remain. These problems are related mainly to weed control which inhibit production and depresses grain quality. Red rice is the most difficult weed to control either by cultural practices or chemical methods. The release of the cultivar SCS 115 CL represents an important mark for Santa Catarina rice industry for the possibility of having red rice eliminated from the rice fields.