Effect of light, pH, and temperature on <i>Sarocladium oryzae</i> in-vitro growth and rice varieties test

Abstract Sarocladium oryzae is one of the rice sheath rot pathogens causing crop losses in several countries. This study aims to determine the optimal in-vitro factors for the growth of S. oryzae and test several rice varieties against S. oryzae infection. Six isolates of S. oryzae from different regions in Indonesia were used. The isolates underwent testing for light, pH, and temperature. Additionally, they were tested on five different rice varieties. The study showed that S. oryzae grows well with 12 hours of light/12 hours of darkness, pH 6, and a temperature of 25°C. It also sporulates heavily under continuous light, pH 6, and a temperature of 25°C. Ciherang, Inpari 30 and Mekongga rice varieties showed high disease severity against S. oryzae . The study demonstrates that S. oryzae grows and sporulates under optimal conditions, offering insights for controlling rice sheath rot disease and providing planting recommendations for affected areas.