First report of Ceratorhiza oryzae-sativae, a fungus naturally causing aggregate sheath spot disease of rice in Manipur

Abstract

Rice is cultivated and consumed worldwide being a cereal crop of chief importance. There are numerous soil-borne fungi causing diseases of huge economic losses to production of rice. A survey of soil-borne fungi of rice was conducted in different valley districts of Manipur, and symptoms appearing as lesions, water-soaked spots near the waterline which often coalesces, forming concentric lesion bands were spotted. Among the collected symptomatic samples, a fungus, Ceratorhiza oryzae - sativae was identified. An internal transcribed sequence of the isolated fungus was generated and an NCBI accession number, MH255604 acquired. This disease might become severe in near future in all rice-growing fields of the state, and identification of this pathogen shall be essential for developing the management strategies.