Incidence survey and severity of fungal diseases of rice in rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

There has been a low productivity experienced by rice farmers in South Eastern Nigeria as a result of high infestation of pests and diseases caused majorly by fungal pathogens. This research was aimed at pulling together the fungi pathogens associated with rice plants through a comprehensive survey in such a way that one could see at a glance what the problems of fungi diseases look like in the zone. Two middle diagonal lines were drawn (in each plot of rice at distance of 20 cm) along the transverse and sampled. Disease incidence was assessed by visual observation of rice diseases in the fields. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA in RCBD using Gen Stat. 7.2 DE version (2007). Mean separation was done using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (F-LSD) at 5% level of probability. Incdence and severity of rice diseases was as high as 98.60% and 3.20, respectively. The most important diseases were seed rot caused by Fusarium moniliforme followed by leaf rot caused by Helminthosporium oryzae. Fusarium moniliforme was the most frequently occurring. Out of the fungi belonging to nine genera Fusarium moniiforme was highest in Abia, Helminthosorium oryzae was highest in Anambra,State and Trichoconis padiwickii was highest in Ebonyi. Phoma oryzae occurred most in Enugu State while Fusarium oxysporim was highest in Imo state.