IMPROVING RICE DISEASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The goal of this project is to improve management practices for control of seedling and foliar [sheath blight, narrow brown leaf spot (NBLS), and kernel smut] diseases for Texas rice production. Potential control options will include host resistance, effective fungicides, and biocontrol agents. Objectives of this project are:Improve seedling disease management strategies by better understanding the pathogen populations or causal agents involved, screening germplasm for resistance, and developing effective chemical and biological seed treatment methods.Improve kernel smut management practices by developing a reliable greenhouse inoculation method, screening for resistance germplasm, and identifying effective fungicides and optimum fungicide application timings for main and ratoon crops.Optimize sheath blight and NBLS management practices by screening for resistant germplasm and effective fungicides for main and ratoon crops.