Neck Blast Of Rice Confirmed In Greene County, Ark.

STUTTGART, ARK.
   A disease that can prevent rice grains from filling out has been confirmed in a field in western Greene Co., prompting a warning to scout late rice fields. The warning is for “late-planted fields with blast-susceptible varieties in blast-prone areas,” said Yeshi Wamishe, extension plant pathologist.
   “If you have rice fields at booting to early heading, the crop could still benefit from a fungicide application,” she said. “Timing is important. Once the head is completely out of the boot, a fungicide application has no benefit for prevention of neck or panicle blast.” Δ

Infection caused rotten necks and bleached heads with blank grains. U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture photo