Abstract:
A B S T R A C T
Rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) is one of the most devastating
diseases that cause severe yield losses every year in Bangladesh. Eight
rice-growing districts of Bangladesh, namely Dinajpur, Rangpur,
Bogura, Natore, Meherpur, Rajbari, Mymensingh, and Jashore, were
surveyed to estimate the incidence and severity of leaf and neck blast
diseases of rice at vegetative and reproductive stages. The highest leaf
and neck blast incidence of 28 and 11% was observed in Dinajpur,
whereas it was the lowest in Rajbari and Jashore. The leaf blast
severity ranged from 28% in Dinajpur to 2% in Rajbari and Jashore.
The highest neck blast severity was recorded in Dinajpur, whereas the
lowest was observed at Rajbari and Jashore. The study revealed that
rice blast disease (leaf and neck blast diseases) is more prevalent in the
northern regions of Bangladesh acts as a hot spot for the disease
having the ideal predisposing conditions compared to southern
regions.
