Rice farmers face some hurdles every year. This time, the hurdles such as rice diseases faced by rice farmers. in the Midsouth region of US. Wet conditions of weather conditions are juxtaposing pathogens to the management decisions.
Felipe Dalla Lana, a rice pathologist from Louisiana State University Extension, has cited about the conditions and temperatures of the weather affecting rice fields in the context of Rice diseases this year. He says: “This year is it’s been raining almost every day for multiple weeks, but the difference this year from the year before is that the temperatures are now more moderate than they were”. In her opinion, conditions are proving to be a good proving ground for disease resistance and control, and a barometer for surrounding producers facing the challenges of a wet, cool start to the growing season, at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Station in Crowley. Furthermore, she asserts that we have no concerns for rice disease at temperatures above 100, but when it comes to 80, having plenty of moisture, then the tendency of disease will increase. The weather has just begun showing its effects on the fields now.
Types of Rice Diseases discussed by Lana
In addition, Lana sheds light on these Rice diseases, namely Sheath Blight, Cercospora and Rice blast.
Sheath Blight, a rice disease related to inoculum in the soil. Lana said that at the Crowley Stationplots have observed fewer signs of sheath blight since the plots planted in rice this year were also in rice in 2023, a hot, dry year where much of the inoculum needed for sheath blight did not survive.
Lana added that there they planted this year in 2025, they also planted in 2023. That was a very hot and dry year, hence they did not have that much inoculum building in the soil and sheath blight is a soil-borne disease.”
According to Lana, farms that cultivate rice using a crawfish rotation would also have less inoculum built up in the soil, whereas those that grow soybeans probably have more, since sheath blight risk is based on the pathogen’s presence in the soil and particular farm conditions, it’s critical to investigate and evaluate each field’s unique risk.
On a related note, when it comes to Cercospora, Lana pointed out that the weather through July would identify how challenging conditions would get. if there’s plenty of rain during these chief stages of plant growth, farmers could begin to observe more cercospora-related problems. Particularly, Rice blast has disastrous effects in wet conditions. As Lana said, you might face 30% loss of your field due to Sheath Blight, but Rice blast holds the potential to destroy the entire field. Another Rice pathologist said the blast will be witnessed about 7 days after a heavy dew in many cases.