A review on important diseases of rice in West Bengal

Abstract

In India 24 percent of cropped area is being occupied by Rice, among which West Bengal ranks first in rice production. Rice, a staple food for billions of people, is susceptible to several devastating diseases that can significantly impact yield and food security. Among these diseases are the important diseases in West Bengal are brown spot, blast disease, sheath blight, and bacterial blight, each caused by different pathogens and exhibiting distinct symptoms. Brown spot of rice: Caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzae, it leads to small, circular lesions with brown centers and yellow halos on the leaves. These lesions can coalesce, causing extensive damage to the foliage. Blast of rice: Rice blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most destructive rice diseases globally. It manifests as diamond-shaped lesions on leaves, stems, and panicles, eventually leading to complete plant destruction. Sheath blight: Rhizoctonia solani is the causal agent of sheath blight. This disease results in elongated lesions on leaf sheaths and stems, often causing lodging and reduced grain filling. Bacterial blight: Caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae, bacterial blight affects leaves, producing water-soaked lesions that later turn necrotic. These lesions often have a characteristic