Assessing the risk and morphological characteristics of weedy rice outbreak in Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province, Vietnam

The Thap Muoi district in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, is renowned as the largest rice producer, cultivating 112,762 hectares and specialising in three rice crops per year, with some areas achieving 3.5 annual crops. However, changing farming practices, low-quality rice seeds, and mechanisation have led to the emergence and spread of weedy rice (Oryza spp.) in Thap Muoi and the broader Mekong delta. This comprehensive assessment of weedy rice outbreak risks in Thap Muoi provides a vital foundation for effective management strategies to prevent its spread in the Mekong delta. Sixty questionnaires were collected from rice-farming households. Approximately 80% of farmers reported the appearance of weedy rice approximately five years ago. Alarmingly, 95% of surveyed farmers (57 individuals) reported weedy rice infestations, with 40% of them encountering infection levels ranging from 11 to 20 plants/m2. To distinguish weedy rice from cultivated varieties, seven distinct types were identified based on various morphological characteristics, including growth time, leaf blade structure, plant height, leaf/stem colour and shape, grain beard/tail, seed/husk colour, grain length, ripening time, and seed dispersal potential. However, all seven weedy rice varieties exhibited short growth cycles and the capacity to produce seeds, posing significant challenges to rice production management in Thap Muoi. This research underscores the critical importance of assessing weedy rice outbreak risks in Thap Muoi and understanding its morphology and prevalence. This understanding is essential for developing effective preventive measures to mitigate the threat of weedy rice outbreaks across the entire Mekong delta in Vietnam.