Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Stem-rot, caused by Magnaporthe salvinii (Catt.) Krause & Webster, is a major rice disease in the Punjab. Varieties of the ‘Basmati’ group, especially Basmati-370, widely grown for its quality, have long been reported resistant to stem-rot (Paracer & Luthra, 1944; Srivastava, Maheshwari & Saini, 1971). Its cultivation in stem-rot-prone areas have been recommended (Grewal, 1975). Recently, however, the authors observed severe stem-rot on Basmati-370 and recorded the variety susceptible (Rattan & Mayee, 1975). Investigation into the causes of breakdown revealed that, wherever the variety had node infection by Pyricularia oryzae Cav., to which it is known to be susceptible, stemrot damage was exaggerated. In the present note, the analysis of breakdown is described.