Summary. Field and glasshouse experiments demonstrated (hat 2,3,5‐trichloro‐4‐ pyridinol (pyriclor) at 50–500 g/ha controls Echinochloa crusgalli in direct‐seeded rice. It prevented germination and restricted growth of the weed under both static and percolating water conditions, but allowed rice to germinate and grow normally. Pyriclor was most effective when applied early; treated plots gave higher yields than those hand‐weeded or sprayed with propanil. Grass weed control was as effective as that given by molinate or nitrofen at much higher rates. Dichlobenil inhibited rice germination, was toxic to young seedlings, and is therefore unsuitable for direct‐seeded rice. Molinate had a wider range of latitude in time of application than the other chemicals tested. Glasshouse experiments indicated that pyriclor moves down in percolating water but is adsorbed more readily in fine than in coarse‐textured soils.