ABSTRACT
Brown spot of rice is caused by fungus, Helminthosporium oryzae. It is one of the most deadly diseases of rice. Many strategies are available for management of the disease, but the instability of pathogen threaten the rice crop. The present chapter outlines the application of biological and molecular approaches for the management of brown spot disease. In general, chemical control method is most effective; however, the use of chemicals is not generally desired due to the serious environmental threat it possesses, although biocontrol agents for brown spot have been successfully deployed to combat the disease under in vitro and in vivo conditions. For effective management of brown spot disease, breeding program should be focused on utilizing the broad spectrum of resistance genes and pyramiding of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL). The availability of rice and H. oryzae genome sequence data are facilitating blast resistance management program to new paradigms which includes isolation and characterization of R and Avr genes. With the identification, isolation, and characterization of brown spot blast resistance genes in rice. In the present chapter, role of biological control including bioagents, botanicals, and resistanceinducing substances; molecular breeding; transgenic; and few new methods in controlling rice’s brown spot disease is discussed in detail. The updated information will be helpful guidance for pathologists and rice breeders to develop durable brown spot resistant rice varieties through advanced molecular techniques and also be helpful in sustainable and environmental friendly rice crop production.
