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Foot rot/Bakanae disease

Bakanae is a seedborne fungal disease. The fungus infects plants through the roots or crowns. It then grows systemically within the plant.

Symptom

In Greek bakanae means “foolish”. The disease produces symptoms in two stage of plants growth.

In nursery bed. Due to infection by the fungus the sprouted seed are killed in the seed bed. Pink or white fungus growth is seen on the dead sprouted seeds. Affected seedlings are usually tall as compared to the normal seedling, yellowish green and die off before transplanting.

In main field. Abnormally tall tillers are seen which produce adventitious roots at nodes above water line. Majority of this elongated tillers die off within 2-6 weeks. A pinkish colour growth and sporulation of the fungus may be seen at the base of the base of the base of the plant when the infected culms are cut open a white cottony growth of the fungus may be seen near the nod. Affected tillers flower earlier than the healthy plants but produce sterile grains.

Causal organism

Fusarium moniliforme. Perfect stage is Gibberella fujikuroi. The mycelium of the fungus is yellow to rosy in colour. The fungus produce growth regulator Gibberellins which cause elongation of the plants and at later stage produce fusaric acid which kills the plants.

Because the disease is commonly spread through spores on the surface of the seed, applying a fungicide containing benomyl (at 1-2% of seed weight) for dry seed coating to treat infested seed can be effective. Soaking seed in a fungicide solution of 1:1000 for one hour or 1:2000 for five hours has also been shown to be useful. Avoid repeated applications of benomyl since the fungus can develop resistance to this treatment.

In cases where resistance to benomyl occurs, use a fungicide that contains propiconazole, or a combination of thiram + benomyl.

  Bakanae Disease of Rice   

Foot Rot
Foot Rot