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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426316
Research Project: Broadening and Strengthening the Genetic Base of Rice for Adaptation to a Changing Climate, Crop Production Systems, and Markets

Location: Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center

Title: Evaluation of biological fungicides for the management of rice sheath blight in Arkansas, 2023

Author
item NICOLLI, CAMILA - University Of Arkansas
item DEPAULA, SAMUEL - University Of Arkansas
item PEDROZO, RODRIGO - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Jia, Yulin

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2025
Publication Date: 4/15/2025
Citation: Nicolli, C., Depaula, S., Pedrozo, R., Jia, Y. 2025. Evaluation of biological fungicides for the management of rice sheath blight in Arkansas, 2023. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0067-PDMR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0067-PDMR

Interpretive Summary: Sheath blight is a common and damaging disease in rice fields caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. It typically starts with small, wet-looking spots on the lower parts of the rice plant, which grow into larger patches that can severely impact yield. This disease is especially challenging for rice growers in Arkansas, where it can spread quickly under warm, wet conditions. In 2023, researchers conducted a field trial in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to test different treatments for managing sheath blight, including both traditional chemical fungicides and newer, environmentally friendly biological options. The trial used the popular rice variety ‘CLL16 and aimed to see if combining biological products with conventional methods could help control the disease more effectively. The study's findings show promising potential for integrating biological fungicides into rice disease management strategies. By offering farmers more sustainable tools to protect their crops, this research contributes to safer food production, reduced reliance on chemicals, and healthier ecosystems in rice-growing regions.

Technical Abstract: Sheath blight, caused by the fungal Rhizoctonia solani, is a prevalent disease that affects rice fields, resulting in yield losses. The symptoms first appear on the leaf sheaths near or just above the waterline as circular or oval water-soaked spots that are greenish or gray. These spots can grow larger and coalesce into bigger lesions with white centers and dark brown margins. This report evaluates the efficacy of biological and conventional fungicides for rice sheath blight management in Arkansas. The trial was carried out in 2023 in Stuttgart, AR, on the Clearfield rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety 'CLL16'. Results from this trial offer a look at the combination of biological fungicides to rice sheath blight management.