Field resistant test of new superior varieties of rice in lowland irrigation agroecosystem against rice blast disease

Abstract

Rice blast disease is one of the main problems for increasing rice production in Indonesia. It can be controlled by planting new superior varieties of rice. Therefore the rotation of varieties is very important. The research aims to obtain disease control methods through the use of new superior varieties (VUB) of lowland rice. The study was carried out in Sambasule, Meluhu Sub-district, Konawe District, Southeast Sulawesi during the rainy season of 2016. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and four replications. Each plot was 50 m × 50 m, so the total land area of the experiment was 10,000 m2. Plants were maintained through the Integrated Crop Management (IPM) of lowland rice approach. Disease incidence of the rice blast was observed based on the Standard Evaluation System of rice from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The results showed that Inpari 32, Inpari Blas, Inpari 22 and Ciherang were moderately resistant to leaf blast and insignificantly different to Inpari 26, Inpari 27 and IPB4S. In addition, Inpari 32 is moderately resistant to neck blasts and insignificantly different to Inpari 22, Inpari Blas and Ciherang.