Efficacy of seed treatments for control of Rhizoctonia solani seedling disease in rice in Arkansas, 2024.

Authors: NICOLI, CAMILA - University Of Arkansas; DE PAULA, SAMUEL - University Of Arkansas; PEDROZO, RODRIGO - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Jia, Yulin

Submitted to: Plant Disease Management Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2025
Publication Date: 12/9/2025
Citation: Nicoli, C., De Paula, S., Pedrozo, R., Jia, Y. 2025. Efficacy of seed treatments for control of Rhizoctonia solani seedling disease in rice in Arkansas, 2024.. Plant Disease Management Reports. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-08-25-0201-PDMR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-08-25-0201-PDMR

Interpretive Summary: Building on findings from the 2023 trial, a second year of research was conducted in 2024 to further investigate how seed treatments can help manage damping-off disease in rice. Caused by Rhizoctonia solani, this disease continues to pose a threat to young seedlings, especially when cool or wet conditions delay germination and give the fungus more time to cause damage. The 2024 trial, carried out at the Rice Research & Extension Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas, once again used the Clearfield variety CL163 but aimed to validate and expand upon the results from the previous year. By re-testing treatment strategies in a new season, researchers were able to refine their findings and strengthen the scientific foundation for disease management in rice. This ongoing effort gives farmers updated, reliable options to protect early crop growth and improve stand establishment under real-world conditions.

Technical Abstract: Among the prominent diseases in rice farming is damping-off, linked to the soilborne fungal agent Rhizoctonia solani . The pathogen attacks emerging seedlings, leading to tissue damage, reduced vigor, seedling mortality, and ultimately lower plant stands, which may subsequently reduce crop yield. Environmental conditions that delay seedling emergence can increase disease severity by extending the window of opportunity for R. solani to infect rice seedlings. This report assesses the efficacy of seed treatments for managing R. solani seedling disease in rice fields in Arkansas. The trial was carried out in 2024 in the Rice Research & Extension Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on the Clearfield rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety 'CL163'. Results from this trial will provide up-to-date information to rice growers for selecting effective seed treatment combinations to manage R. solani seedling diseases.