Survey and Identification of Rice Diseases in South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Disease surveys were conducted in rice grown districts of Libokemkem, Dera and Fogera in south Gondar zone in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The study was designed to identify and record rice disease flora, their distribution in the districts, prioritize according to the importance and document for future use. Forty-six and 48 rice fields were assessed from nine Peasant Association (PA) in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons, respectively. Rice diseases; Leaf blast, Panicle Blast, Brown spot, Sheath rot, Sheath brown rot, Sheath Blight, Bacterial blight, Rice Yellow Motile Virus, Kernel smut, Downy mildew were identified in 2016 cropping season and nine rice diseases: Leaf blast, Panicle Blast, Neck Blast, Node blast, Brown spot, Sheath rot, Sheath brown rot, Rice Yellow Motile Virus, Kernel smut were identified in 2017. The overall mean prevalence of sheath rot and sheath brown rot diseases were above 60%, while the others had prevalence below 21%. The incidences and severities of these two diseases were higher than the other diseases implying that both diseases were important. In the present studies many rice diseases were recorded in lowland ecosystem as compared to upland ecosystem. From the assessment X-jigna cultivar was more susceptible to rice disease and followed by Gumera. The results indicate that a sheath rot, and sheath brown rot, were important across the districts and years. Loss assessment studies should be initiated in order to know the yield damage caused by the diseases.