Pathogen variation, disease epidemiology, host resistance and control of the rice blast pathogen (Magnaporthe oryzae) in Australia

Surveys highlighted wild rice as reservoir of important pathogens of cultivated rice, which can cause disease threats to commercial rice expanding to where wild rice is endemic. Fungicide studies showed two fungicides with good efficacy in controlling blast disease and illustrated the critical role of external nutrients in promoting germtube growth under fungicide stress conditions. Histological studies showed that virulent isolates form appressoria faster than avirulent lsolates and highlighted host-type effects on appressorial formation. The final study highlighted the susceptibility of a wide range of crops to blast: including wheat, barley, wild oat, annual ryegrass, phalaris and corn.