Weed Management Challenges in Rice Cultivation in the Context of Pesticide Use Reduction: A Survey Approach
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Nowadays, herbicides are increasingly being used to control weeds and increase rice yields. But this strategy is not effective enough due to the high cost of chemicals and the emergence of tolerant weed species.
The authors conducted comprehensive studies to analyze weed control technologies in three provinces of Portugal. Various methods were used: sociological research, focus group survey, mathematical data processing. I believe that the material presented in this manuscript is relevant, presented at a high scientific level and can be published in a journal.
There are some minor comments that need to be revised,.
To understand the experimental methodology, it is necessary to draw up a diagram of the stages and important indicators of the study.
In Figures 2 and 3 - there are many abbreviations - explanations of the abbreviations should be given, preferably at the beginning of the article or in the Materials and Methods section.
Line 477-481 The greatest risk to the efficacy of Clearfield® technology is the possibility of transfer of tolerance to imidazolinones (IMI) between rice varieties and Oriza sativa selvatica. The greatest threat to the effectiveness of Clearfield® technology is the risk of transfer of tolerance to imidazolinones (IMI) between rice varieties and wild rice.
– The sentences are very similar, confusion arises. I recommend rephrasing.
Author Response
We would like to thank you so much for considering this article for publication, and the comments of the reviewers. Below, you can find our REPLY to the reviewers, trying to respond to all comments, and introducing the changes in the manuscript with the necessary articulation of the replies to the four referees’ comments.
Reviewer 1
Nowadays, herbicides are increasingly being used to control weeds and increase rice yields. But this strategy is not effective enough due to the high cost of chemicals and the emergence of tolerant weed species.
The authors conducted comprehensive studies to analyse weed control technologies in three provinces of Portugal. Various methods were used: sociological research, focus group survey, mathematical data processing. I believe that the material presented in this manuscript is relevant, presented at a high scientific level and can be published in a journal.
There are some minor comments that need to be revised.
COMMENT 1 - To understand the experimental methodology, it is necessary to draw up a diagram of the stages and important indicators of the study.
REPLY: Ok, it was introduced a sentence with the stages of the study, “In resume, the work follows three steps: elaboration of the questionnaire and the pre-test; inquiry of the farmers; focus groups to validate and complemented the survey results” LL104-105. The presentation of the results are organized according with the important indicators of the study, and the main issues are expressed in the point “2.2. The questionnaire”.
COMMENT 2 - In Figures 2 and 3, there are many abbreviations - explanations of the abbreviations should be given, preferably at the beginning of the article or in the Materials and Methods section.
REPLY: Ok, it was introduced the sentence “In figures 2 and 3, weed species are identified by EPPO code (Appendix B).” LL172-173. It was used the EPPO code for a better visualization of the figures axes.
COMMENT 3 - Line 477-481 The greatest risk to the efficacy of Clearfield®technology is the possibility of transfer of tolerance to imidazolinones (IMI) between rice varieties and Oriza sativa selvatica. The greatest threat to the effectiveness of Clearfield® technology is the risk of transfer of tolerance to imidazolinones (IMI) between rice varieties and wild rice.
– The sentences are very similar, confusion arises. I recommend rephrasing.
REPLY: Ok, the sentences were rephrased – “The greatest threat to the efficacy of Clearfield® technology is the risk of transfer of tolerance to imidazolinones (IMI) between rice varieties and Oryza sativa ssp. sylvatica.” LL482-484.
Best regards
The author`s
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments for the Author:
The manuscript by Calha et al. is focused on rice farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards weeds and cultural operations related to the management of weeds. The problem of herbicide resistance is increasing with the reduction in the number of active substances. Furthermore, the difficulty in adopting non-chemical weed control practices to meet the requirements of the European Ecological Pact is also mentioned in this manuscript.
The study is interesting, well formulated and supported by efficient analyses. Overall the article is well-written and informative with the aim to evaluate the rice farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards weeds and cultural operations related to the management of weeds in Portugal. However, there is need to address following minor changes/corrections before its acceptance:
1. There is a ned to make Title of manuscript catchier and comprehensive as per the study conducted.
2. Write at least one sentence about conclusion/recommendations in abstract
.3. In the introduction, please tell if the same study was conducted in past or not. Please also highlight the importance of the current study in your introduction section.
4. Add a GPS map of the survey locations if possible.
5. Please make the result sections as table and figure-wise, do not make the heading of results where you did not have a table or figure to support/show these results.
6. There is need to support this study with the scientific evidences such as analysis of the weeds for resistance by means of bi-chemical analysis, bioassay or physiological analysis or even the residual analysis of the weeds.
7. Many parts of the text may be further backed up by incorporation of the references such as "Other weed control measure".
8. In a table or graph, there is no standard error bar/standard deviation, and statistical lettering was not provided in any graph and table
9. A better discussion along with the results or even a separate discussion may be added to relate the study in broader context of the global view.
10. Please write precise, concise and comprehensive Conclusion.
Author Response
The manuscript by Calha et al. is focused on rice farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards weeds and cultural operations related to the management of weeds.
The problem of herbicide resistance is increasing with the reduction in the number of active substances. Furthermore, the difficulty in adopting non-chemical weed control practices to meet the requirements of the European Ecological Pact is also mentioned in this manuscript.
The study is interesting, well formulated and supported by efficient analyses. Overall the article is well-written and informative with the aim to evaluate the rice farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards weeds and cultural operations related to the management of weeds in Portugal.
However, there is need to address following minor changes/corrections before its acceptance:
COMMENT 1 - There is a ned to make Title of manuscript catchier and comprehensive as per the study conducted.
REPLY: Ok, the title was changed to “Weed management challenges in rice cultivation in a context of pesticides use reduction: a survey approach”.
COMMENT 2 - Write at least one sentence about conclusion/recommendations in abstract.
REPLY: Ok, it was introduced the sentence “The implementation of these alternative cannot be widespread but must be studied on a case-by-case basis and require technical monitoring, adapted to the region and to the plot.” LL 20-22.
COMMENT 3 - In the introduction, please tell if the same study was conducted in past or not. Please also highlight the importance of the current study in your introduction section.
REPLY: It was done a survey before but only about the herbicides used and not in the agronomic practices and the farmers’ perceptions and attitudes. We introduced, in the 1. Introduction, a sentence with the innovative approach of our work, “The innovative character of this work was to study the practices and attitudes of rice producers towards weed management, herbicide use and herbicide resistant risk.” LL84-86.
COMMENT 4 - Add a GPS map of the survey locations if possible.
REPLY: it is not possible because the questionnaire has personal data and georeferenation would allow for farmers identification and might arise confidence policy issues. We introduce a map with the localization of the three rice production areas; it is the new annex A.
COMMENT 5 - Please make the result sections as table and figure-wise, do not make the heading of results where you did not have a table or figure to support/show these results.
REPLY: we do not agree with this comment because the results are presented according with the structure of the questionnaire and follow a logic of the all narrative of the manuscript. It started with the main problematic weeds, passing by the use of herbicides and the farmers’ degree of satisfaction with these pesticides, the others weeds control measures, the herbicides risk assessment, and finally the adopting new practices of herbicides application, complemented with the results of the focus groups. In some results section it is not necessary to present a table or a figure, but is important to individualize the results of that section topic.
COMMENT 6 - There is need to support this study with the scientific evidences such as analysis of the weeds for resistance by means of bi-chemical analysis, bioassay or physiological analysis or even the residual analysis of the weeds.
REPLY: Ok, it was introduced the sentence “In the project +Arroz that support this study, resistance to penoxsulam was confirmed in Echinochloa spp., population based on a field survey on three regions with dose-response bioassays.” LL 559-561.
COMMENT 7 - Many parts of the text may be further backed up by incorporation of the references such as "Other weed control measure".
REPLY: in our understanding of the comment above, it refers to agronomic practices, and in our point of view it is not necessary to support the description of these practices by bibliographic references.
COMMENT 8 - In a table or graph, there is no standard error bar/standard deviation, and statistical lettering was not provided in any graph and table
REPLY: it was not presented standard error bar/standard deviation because in the manuscript are presented results of non-parametric analysis.
COMMENT 9 - A better discussion along with the results or even a separate discussion may be added to relate the study in broader context of the global view
REPLY: Ok, it was separated the results’ discussion from the conclusions.
COMMENT 10 - Please write precise, concise and comprehensive Conclusion.
REPLY: Ok, see comment above; we think that the conclusion are now more precise, concise and comprehensive.
Best regards
The author`s
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
Consider These following comments:
Abstract:
-It would be helpful if you provided more statistical results in the abstract.
-Line 16: Mention the weed species name.
Lines 20-21: A clear and informative conclusion should be provided at the end of the abstract.
Introduction:
Line 26: There is a need for an appropriate citation for this claim.
Lines 33-34: It's only 25 hectares, right? The number should be checked carefully!
Lines 50-51: Provide an appropriate citation.
Line 59: Present in Italic.
Results:
Lines 163-167: You should presented the scientific names in Italic.
Line 172: Italic.
Lines 212-213: In the whole text, scientific names should be formatted in italics.
Line 278: Is that rice or something else?
Lines 311-313: Provide a more detailed explanation regarding this satisfaction.
Lines 391-392: Italic!!!!!!
Conclusions: The conclusion should be summarized by presenting the main points.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
We would like to thank you so much for considering this article for publication, and the comments of the reviewers. Below, you can find our REPLY to the reviewers, trying to respond to all comments, and introducing the changes in the manuscript with the necessary articulation of the replies to the four referees’ comments.
Consider these following comments:
COMMENT 1 - Abstract: it would be helpful if you provided more statistical results in the abstract.
REPLY: it was introduced a new sentence “The implementation of these alternative cannot be widespread but must be studied on a case-by-case basis and require technical monitoring, adapted to the region and to the plot.” and rephrasing the abstract in order to comply the editorial norms (dimension of the abstract).
COMMENT 2 - Line 16: Mention the weed species name.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 3 - Lines 20-21: A clear and informative conclusion should be provided at the end of the abstract.
REPLY: Ok, see reply to comment 1.
COMMENT 4 - Line 26: There is a need for an appropriate citation for this claim.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 5 - Lines 33-34: It's only 25 hectares, right? The number should be checked carefully!.
REPLY: Our mistake, corrected.
COMMENT 6 - Lines 50-51: Provide an appropriate citation
REPLY: Ok, done follow the suggestion of the reviewer.
COMMENT 7 - Line 59: Present in Italic.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 8 - Lines 163-167: You should presented the scientific names in Italic.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 9 - Line 172: Italic.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 10 - Lines 212-213: In the whole text, scientific names should be formatted in italics.
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 11 - Line 278: Is that rice or something else?
REPLY: it is rice, our mistake, corrected.
COMMENT 12 - Lines 311-313: Provide a more detailed explanation regarding this satisfaction.
REPLY: In was introduced the reference to table 3 (L 310), and the sentence “These results could be related to herbicides use in each region as referred above and farmers’ perception to weed resistance.” (LL 318-319). These changes provide a better explanation of the results about the farmers’ pesticide use satisfaction.
COMMENT 13 - Lines 391-392: Italic!!!!!!
REPLY: Ok, done.
COMMENT 14 - The conclusion should be summarized by presenting the main points.
REPLY: We split the discussion from the conclusions, which turned the conclusions more clear and comprehensive.
Best regards
The author`s
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
Authors discussed weed management challenges in main rice producing regions of Portugal where rice is grown on saline and heavy soils. Weeds have evolved herbicide resistance and there is requirement of the European Ecological Pact to reduce the use of herbicides. Further, weed shifts were also observed in rice fields during the survey.
Authors need to check the units in lines 33 (25.94 ha), and 39 (5.12 kg/ha; 5.48 kg/ha).
Author Response
We would like to thank you so much for considering this article for publication, and the comments of the reviewers. Below, you can find our REPLY to the reviewers, trying to respond to all comments, and introducing the changes in the manuscript with the necessary articulation of the replies to the four referees’ comments.
Authors discussed weed management challenges in main rice producing regions of Portugal where rice is grown on saline and heavy soils. Weeds have evolved herbicide resistance and there is requirement of the European Ecological Pact to reduce theuse of herbicides. Further, weed shifts were also observed in rice fields during the survey
COMMENT 1 - Authors need to check the units in lines 33 (25.94 ha), and 39(5.12 kg/ha; 5.48 kg/ha).
REPLY: Checked and corrected (LL 34, 40 and 42).
Best regards
The author`s
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
All my comments have been considered by authors.
Author Response
Dear reviewer
We appreciate your contribution. We fixed some English bugs, notably regarding the "." and "," in the table numbers and we put the region names in italics. We detected some errors that we corrected. Regarding conclusions, we have introduced a paragraph that we believe may address your question and improve conclusionS
"
The results of the research lead to the conclusion of the existence of weed increased resistance to herbicides and the problematic of weed management in rice crops. Despite the increase in the phenomenon of resistance to herbicides, rice growers are looking for solutions within the framework of the use of herbicides, without a predisposition to adopt other methods of control, such as stale seedbed and the crop rotation. Rice growers' attitudes and practices are conditioned to soil, climate, economic factors, and technical competence."
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
