PREVALENCE, INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF BROWN SPOT OF RICE IN MAJOR RICE GROWING AREAS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Brown spot disease (Bipolarisoryzae) is increasing threat to global food security in the world as well as the most damaging disease of rice crop in Pakistan. In September 2017, a field survey was conducted in four rice-growing districts of Punjab namely (Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura and Lahore) and diseased samples were collected from different fields of rice showing disease symptoms. The results showed that Ninety-seven fields of rice were surveyed and 62 were found infected with disease.Disease prevalence was highest in district Sheikhupura 84%, followed by Lahore, Hafizabadand Faisalabadwith 80%, 60% and 53% respectively. The risk of disease incidence was highest in district Sheikhupura and Lahore82% in Super Basmati, 74% in KSK-282 followed by Faisalabad and Hafizabad71% in Super basmati, 60% in Super rice respectively. The severity rate was the highest in district Lahore at KotPindiDass 88%in Super rice, but the minimum wasobserved atShamke road 46% in PK 386. It is concluded that, the disease incidence and severity level of B. oryzae was higher in fields of district Sheikhupura in Punjab, Pakistan.