University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019 and Great Plains
Apiaries, Purcell, OK 73080 Originally, partially germinated
rice (Oryza sativa) was broadcast onto a prepared seedbed about
May 10th, the earth was lightly raked to protect the rice from
birds, and the field subjected to a shallow water flood (1). The
started rice competes well with weeds, but the broadcasting of
seed provides no clear place to stand during weeding. Although
weed control by hand was moderately successful during the first
few years of rice cultivation, aquatic weeds gradually
increased, making it difficult to avoid uprooting rice plants
during weeding. Thus, this cultural practice became less
effective. In December 1983, a pipeline discharged saturated
brine onto 600 m2 of land, including the rice paddy. Reclamation
efforts began in the fall of 1984, with applications of manure
and gypsum (200 and 100 tonnes/ha respectively), and deep
plowing and subsequent water flooding. By the end of 1986,
bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon, a salt-tole