Reactions of rice varieties to Bakanae disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroi in Turkey

Bakanae disease has been a major problem in rice production throughout the world. The most common and virulent species is Fusarium fujikuroi. The high genetic variability and epidemic character of Fusarium fujikuroi causes very important problems control of the disease. The use of resistant varieties is preferred in many countries of the World. This study aimed at the reactions of both Turkish and Italian cultivars to Bakanae disease, which are the most cultivated in Turkey and preferred by farmers. The most observed symptoms were that afflicted plants were taller than the normal height, thin and yellowish-green, there was browning of the leaves in the progressing period, rot in the root and root collar. All the tested rice cultivars in the study were found susceptible to the disease. This shows that Turkish and Italian rice varieties, which are most preferred in the Turkish rice market, are extremely susceptible to this disease.