Introduction to Rice Blast

History

Rice blast was probably the disease known as rice fever disease in China as early as 1637. It was reported as Imochi-byo in Japan in 1704, and brusone in Italy in 1828. It was reported in the USA as early as 1876 and in India in 1913.

Distribution and Occurrence

In temperate and subtropical Asia, blast is highly destructive in lowland rice  and in tropical Asia, Latin America, and Africa, it affects upland rice. Blast is found in approximately 85 countries throughout the world.