Economic Importance - Brown Spot

This disease was considered to be the major factor contributing to the Great Bengal Famine in 1942, resulting in yield losses of 50% to 90% and causing the death of 2 million people. Epidemics in India have resulted in 14-41% losses in higher yielding varieties. Under favorable environment, yield loss estimates ranging from 16 to 40% in Florida, USA were reported.

This pathogen also causes the fungal brown spot, a devastating disease on the cultivated wild rice, Zizania palustris, which is commercially grown in Minnesota, USA. Losses are incurred through effects on seedling survival as well as reductions in yield and grain quality, caused by inherited root and shoot elongation (in addition to the more obvious leaf and kernel infection).