Inter-Row Weeder for Dry-Seeded Rice | Mechanical Weed Control

Dry-seeded rice — sown without flooding — is increasingly adopted for water saving and organic production. It is typically grown at row spacings of 20–30 cm. Weed management is the main agronomic challenge, as the absence of flooding eliminates the natural weed suppression effect of paddy systems.

Precision cultivators for dry-seeded rice: which to choose

Dry-seeded rice is grown at row spacings of 20–30 cm on non-flooded fields.

Colibrì — precision in-row weeder for rice

Motorised discs at 2 cm from the row, constant depth. Operational from the 2-leaf stage. Critical for rice where in-row weeds are the main competitive threat.

Rotovert TILT — for fields with surface irregularities

Tilting system for fields with slight surface differences. Minimum row spacing 12.5 cm.

Rotobrush — false seedbed for rice

One or two passes before rice emergence can significantly reduce early weed pressure, particularly for annual grass weeds.

Strig — early in-row treatment

Flexible tines in the row at the early leaf stage. Effective for small-seeded weeds germinating in the seeded row.

Complementary equipment for dry-seeded rice

Oliver Agro provides equipment to manage the full field operation:

• Drip tape laying and retrieval machines for irrigation and fertigation
• Granular fertiliser spreaders, combinable directly with the inter-row weeder

Why choose mechanical weeding for dry-seeded rice

Organic dry-seeded rice commands significant price premiums in European markets. Mechanical weeding is the only effective broad-spectrum weed control strategy without herbicides in non-flooded systems.

Frequently asked questions

From which growth stage can Colibrì work on dry-seeded rice?

From the 2-leaf stage, once the rice seedling has sufficient root development to withstand the slight movement caused by the motorised discs.

How many weeding passes are needed in dry-seeded rice?

Typically 2–3 passes: the first at the 2-leaf stage, then every 2–3 weeks until canopy closure.

Can mechanical weeding be used in organic dry-seeded rice?

Yes. All Oliver Agro precision cultivators are fully compatible with certified organic farming regulations.