Rice Blast
Magnaporthe oryzae
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameRice Blast
DescriptionRice blast creates spindle-shaped grey spots and snaps the 'neck' of the grain head. Identify diamond-shaped leaf lesions to prevent devastating yield loss.
TypeFungus
FamilyMagnaporthaceae
GenusMagnaporthe
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassSordariomycetes
OrderMagnaporthales
Features
- The most widespread and damaging disease of rice globally, often causing 50-100% crop loss. Caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
- Characterized by spindle-shaped or diamond-shaped lesions on the leaves, with grey or white centers and reddish-brown necrotic borders
- The most destructive phase is 'neck blast' or 'rotten neck', where the fungus attacks the base of the grain head (panicle), causing it to turn black and snap
- Infected panicles either fail to fill with grain ('blanking') or produce small, shriveled, and brittle seeds that break during milling
- The fungus can also attack the nodes of the stem, causing them to turn black and rot, which leads to plant collapse and death
- Overwinters in infected seeds, straw, and on various wild grasses. It spreads rapidly through airborne spores during wet, humid, and cloudy weather
- High nitrogen fertilization and low soil moisture (drought stress) significantly increase the plant's susceptibility to the disease
- Fungus is highly adaptable and can quickly develop new strains that overcome the resistance of previously immune rice varieties
- Avoid excessive nitrogen use and ensure consistent irrigation to keep the soil moist. Burn or deeply plow under infected crop residue after harvest
- Apply systemic fungicides like tricyclazole or carbendazim as a seed treatment or as a foliage spray during the early flowering (booting) stage
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificMagnaporthe oryzae
English (Alternate)Rice rotten neck, Blast disease
Hindiधान का झोंका रोग (Dhan ka jhonka rog)
Tamilநெல் குலை நோய் (Nel kulai noy)
Teluguవరి అగ్గి తెగులు (Vari aggi tegulu)
Malayalamനെല്ലിന്റെ കുലവാട്ടം (Nellinte kulavāṭṭaṁ)
Kannadaಭತ್ತದ ಬೆಂಕಿ ರೋಗ (Bhattada beṅki rōga)
Sanskritव्रीहि-स्फोट (Vrīhi-sphoṭa)
Bengaliধানের ব্লাস্ট রোগ (Dhan-er blast rog)
Frenchpyriculariose du riz
Russianпирикуляриоз риса (pirikulyarioz risa)
Spanishpiricularia del arroz, añublo del arroz
GermanReisbräune
