Evaluation of Biological Fungicides for the Management of Rice Sheath Blight in Arkansas, 2023

Sheath blight, caused by the fungal Rhizoctonia solani, is a prevalent disease that affects rice fields, resulting in yield losses. The symptoms first appear on the leaf sheaths near or just above the waterline as circular or oval water-soaked spots that are greenish or gray. These spots can grow larger and coalesce into bigger lesions with white centers and dark brown margins. This report evaluates the efficacy of biological and conventional fungicides for rice sheath blight management in Arkansas. The trial was carried out in 2023 in Stuttgart, AR, on the Clearfield rice ( Oryza sativa L.) variety ‘CLL16’. Results from this trial offer a look at the combination of biological fungicides to rice sheath blight management.