EVALUATION OF PAKISTANI RICE CULTIVARS FOR APPARENT INFECTION RATE AGAINST FUNGAL PATHOGEN Pyricularia oryzae

Agronomically important crops face several biotic constraints, including fungal and bacterial diseases, which result in heavy yield losses of up to 70% every year. Rice production and export are vital for the economy of Pakistan as rice exports account for a substantial share in foreign exchange revenues. This is the first study from Pakistan for the evaluation of the rice varieties for resistance to fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzea, the causative agent of blast disease based on two physiological stages i-e seedling stage and reproductive stage using in vitro detached leaf assay as well as in vivo standard method. Ten local rice varieties such as Shaheen Basmati, Basmati 515, Basmati 2000, Basmati 385, Basmati 370, Pakhal, KS-282, KSK-133 Super Basmati and NIAB IR-9 were selected to test against fungal pathogen Pyriculria. Out of ten varieties (Basmati 370, Basmati 385, Basmati 2000 and Super Basmati) were found to be highly susceptible against P. oryzae. Whereas, Shaheen Basmati, Pakhal, KS-282, KSK-133 and NIAB-IR-19 were moderately resistant to resistant while Basmati 515 recorded moderately susceptible. Based on screening results, the resistant genotypes obtained during the present study can serve as a gene pool used in breeding programs to develop new resistant varieties.