By R. Cabunagan, ER Tiongco and IR Choi
R. Cabunagan and IR Choi are virologists at IRRI while ER Tiongco is plant pathologist at PhilRice
Farmers in developing countries have difficulties managing plant diseases. Because of their limited understanding on the disease processes, the management measures they adopt are often ineffective. Since disease management has to be viewed in the context of crop production, scientists have to work with farmers to improve rice production through available management options. The measures should be simple, inexpensive and within the limited technical and financial capability of the farmers. Available technologies for rice tungro disease (RTD) are presented for farmers, researchers and extension workers in the tropics where RTD is a substantial threat in rice production.
Component technologies include host plant resistance, leaf hopper vector control (insecticide application and biological control), and cultural management (synchrony of planting and provision of fallow period, time of planting, crop space and density, sanitation, and cultivar diversification).