Current Situation of Rice Blast Disease in Edirne, Turkey

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of most important cereal crops in Turkey. More intensive rice production areas in Turkey are located in Thrace region. Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae is one of the most important pathogens that affect the yield and quality of rice plants. In this study, a total of 22 rice fields were surveyed in Kesan, Meric, Uzunkopru, Ipsala, Enez and Havsa districts of Edirne province of Turkey in 2018 for the presence of rice blast disease. The disease severity and prevalence values of rice blast disease in these districts were recorded. The highest disease severity was observed in Havsa district (48.40%), followed by Uzunkopru (27.68%), Meric (26.20%), Kesan (19.23%), Ipsala (19.12%) and Enez (6.40%) districts. The highest prevalence of the disease was observed in Havsa district (100%), followed by Meric (71.43%), Uzunkopru (69.15%), Kesan (62.73%), Ipsala (33.66) and Enez (13.00%) districts. It appears that rice blast is common in Edirne province of Turkey. Precautions should be taken against this important disease.