Question

Blast of rice is caused by

• A. Fungus
• B. Virus
• C. Protozoa
• D. Bacteria

Answer 1

The correct option is A Fungus

Blast is caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Leaf, collar, node, neck, parts of panicle and sometimes leaf sheath are affected by the fungus. The blast can occur wherever blast spores are present. It occurs in areas with low soil moisture, frequent and prolonged periods of the rain shower and cool temperature in the daytime. In upland rice, large day-night temperature differences that cause dew formation on leaves and overall cooler temperatures favor the development of the disease. Rice can have blast in all growth stages. However, leaf blast incidence tends to lessen as plants mature and develop adult plant resistance to the disease.

So, the correct answer is option A.