University College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo
Online published on 28 December, 2017.
The present investigation was conducted to standardize the screening techniques for false smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens. Different inoculation methods viz. spray inoculation at boot stage, spray inoculation at flowering stage, syringe inoculation at boot stage and inoculation using dropper method at boot stage were evaluated under natural and artificial humidity conditions during 2007 and 2008. Maximum disease incidence (70.00% and 78.00%, respectively) and (65.00% and 61.60%, respectively) and disease severity (3.00% and 15.00%, respectively) and (2.5% and 11%, respectively) were recorded in plants spray inoculation with spore suspension of yellow colored spores at boot stage during 2007 and 2008. Spraying of spore suspension at boot stage of crop has been found to be best method resulting higher incidence and severity of false smut.
Rice, false smut, Ustilaginoidea virens, screening techniques, disease incidence and disease severity
