Rice-farm diseases feared as rains continue

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Rice Research Institute study shows non-stop rains may contribute to bacterial diseases invading rice farms, online news site The News Today has reported. The report said one of these diseases, bacterial leaf streak (BLS), is less invasive than bacterial leaf blight (BLB) but is prevalent during rainy days. PhilRice plant pathologist Dr. Hoai Xuan Truong said symptoms are almost similar to bacterial leaf blight. He said farmers should pay close attention to fine yellow lines on the leaf surface as almost half of the leaf will eventually turn brownish and the tip will be droopy. Truong added that BLS infestation comes in earlier than BLB. If conditions like continuous rains are favorable, BLS signs become visible in 40-50 days after seeding. He said the first and best preventive option is to maintain good drainage to ensure that water would not stagnate in the paddy. Also, he said water stagnation also prevents good aeration, which eventually causes poor root development and lesser number of tillers. Truong also encouraged planting of resistant varieties, but cautioned on planting hybrid rice varieties during the wet season, as most of these are highly susceptible to BLS and other diseases. In the meantime, the report said PhilRice plant breeders are developing varieties resistant to blast, BLB and other rice diseases using both conventional and biotechnology approaches. - GMANews.TV