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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #428344
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 seed treatments for the management of Rhizoctonia solani seedling disease in rice fields in Arkansas, 2023.

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

Submitted to: Plant Disease Management Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2025
Publication Date: 12/9/2025
Citation: Nicolli, C., De Paula, S., Pedrozo, R., Jia, Y. 2025. Evaluation of seed treatments for the management of Rhizoctonia solani seedling disease in rice fields in Arkansas, 2023.. Plant Disease Management Reports. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-08-25-0202-PDMR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-08-25-0202-PDMR

Interpretive Summary: Damping-off disease, caused by the soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani, can significantly affect rice seedling survival and early crop development in Arkansas. When weather conditions slow seedling emergence, the risk of infection increases, threatening plant health and reducing yield potential. In 2023, a foundational study was conducted in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to explore whether seed treatments could help protect young rice plants from this early-season threat. Using the CL163 Clearfield rice variety, researchers tested multiple fungicide combinations to assess their ability to manage damping-off. This first-year study established a critical baseline for understanding how seed treatments perform under field conditions and laid the groundwork for future research. The results offer valuable, research-based guidance to rice farmers, helping them choose treatments that can reduce early seedling loss and improve their chances of a healthy, productive crop.

Technical Abstract: Damping-off, caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, is a soilborne disease that impacts rice fields. This pathogen infects young seedlings, causing injuries, lack of vigor, seedling death, and reduced plant stands. Delays in seedling emergence due to adverse conditions tend to increase the severity of damping-off. This report evaluates the efficacy of seed treatment programs for managing rice seedling disease in Arkansas. The trial was carried out in 2023 in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on the Clearfield rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety 'CL163'. Results from this trial will assist rice growers in selecting effective fungicide combinations for managing rice seedling diseases.