Bacterial Leaf Streak Of Rice
This article is co-authored by Lorelvn Joy Turnos, a research associate of Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines based in Mindanao. For further information on this article, send your inquiries to mark.nas@pioneer.com.
In this issue, we will talk about another important bacterial disease of rice known as bacterial leaf streak (BLS), which is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzicola. The disease is less popular and less invasive than bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, but is generally more prevalent and infectious during rainy seasons.
Symptoms and mechanisms of damages of the two bacterial diseases are almost similar. Hence, it is very important for the rice growers to gain skills and expertise in distinguishing what particular causal organisms are attacking their fields, and what types of symptoms are manifested by the crops. BLS infection usually comes in earlier than BLB, wherein disease symptoms become noticeable 40 to 45 days after seeding (DAS).