An over View of Bakanae Disease of Rice

The bakanae disease is known to be discovered in 1828 but was named in 1898. This disease is believed to be caused by Fusarium moniliformin but other Fusarium species are also found to be involved in causing this disease. There is hardly any comprehensive study that describes the detailed information about the disease. This review was conducted to analyze the i) historical existence of disease, ii) epidemiological conditions and iii) possible ways to control the disease. The disease is reported both soil and seed borne. Pathogen actually is reported as seed borne and had a long life. As some seeds also remained in the field that become source of the disease in the next year, due to which this disease is also reported as soil borne by some researchers. The pathogen responsible for the disease has a number of races due to which breeding for the disease resistance faces problems. The pathogen enhances the production of secondary metabolites and gibbrellic acid (GA) which in turn cause the symptoms. It is suggested that the introduction of genes inhibiting the production of GA can be a way to control this disease instead of introducing many genes for different races of the pathogen. The most common way to control the disease is the use of fungicides which are harmful for health and even for beneficial microorganisms. Use of coarse varieties is another way to control this disease but in some areas, like in Pakistan and India, fine type varieties are preferred over course type, so this approach is also not feasible. Some QTLs (qBK1, qB1 and qB2) have been identified in fine rice varieties for this disease, which may be proved beneficial, if used, in the breeding program. As there are many races of pathogen responsible for this disease, use of horizontal resistance may be more practical than vertical resistance.