Efficacy of Seed Treatments for Control of <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> Seedling Disease in Rice in Arkansas, 2024

Among the prominent diseases in rice farming is damping-off, which is linked to the soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The pathogen attacks emerging seedlings, leading to tissue damage, reduced vigor, seedling mortality, and ultimately lower plant stands, which may reduce crop yield. Environmental conditions that delay seedling emergence can increase disease severity by extending the window of opportunity for R. solani to infect rice seedlings. This report assesses the efficacy of seed treatments for managing R. solani seedling disease in rice fields in Arkansas. The trial was carried out in 2024 in the Rice Research &amp; Extension Center in Stuttgart, AR, on the Clearfield rice ( Oryza sativa L.) variety ‘CL163’. Results from this trial will provide up-to-date information to rice growers for selecting effective seed treatment combinations to manage R. solani seedling diseases.