A review of bacterial diseases of rice and its management in Malaysia

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the staple foods in the world including Malaysia. Rice production has been affected due to disease infections that is usually destructive and cause many losses to rice productivity. The common bacterial diseases listed in Malaysia include bacterial leaf blight (BLB) (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae), bacterial leaf streak (BLS) (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola), sheath brown rot (SBR) (Pseudomonas fuscovaginae) and bacterial panicle blight (BPB) (Burkholderia glumae). Currently, there is less information on the bacterial disease occurrence of rice in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to discuss the current report on the severity and the economic losses of rice production due to BLB, BLS, SBR and BPB in Malaysia and the possible management strategies to control the disease that consequently reduce the losses. In general, management strategies for bacterial diseases are challenging due to the lack of suitable chemical control that is not harmful to the environment and human health. Furthermore, other management strategies can be used to control these diseases such as cultural control and biological control. There is a need for the control method to be upgraded to reduce the occurrence of these diseases. All the information provided in this study may contribute as a useful tool for identification of the bacterial disease in paddy fields and as a source of effective strategies to control the disease before it becomes worse.