Mitigation of rice blast disease by using biocontrol agents and new molecular fungicides

Abstract

Rice blast is one of the most devastating diseases which is caused by Pyricularia grisea. The disease infects the all growth stages of rice crop and causes severe yield loss. Biocontrol agents and new molecular fungicides were tested against blast disease of rice. Among the nine treatments tested, Seed treatment with Bacillus subtilis + Foliar spray of Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 1g/l (T7) recorded the maximum (67.88 %) reduction of the blast disease followed by Seed treatment with Bacillus subtilis @10g/kg + Foliar spray of Picoxystrobin 6.78% + Tricyclazole 20.33% SC @1ml/l (T8) which recorded 58.67 % reduction of the blast disease. Combined application of biocontrol agents having ability to reduce rice blast disease and increase the yield significantly.