Blast-resistant rice

Varieties of rainfed rice that are resistant to Blast, have high production potential, and are well adapted to African climates have been developed by plant breeders at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Carried by fungi, Blast is one of the most serious diseases of rice. Over the last 20 years it has been responsible for heavy losses in Africa. There are traditional varieties in Africa and Brazil that are strongly resistant to both this disease and drought (another serious obstacle to increasing production in these areas), but they have relatively poor yields. It was by combining high-yielding, dwarf Asian varieties with such local varieties that more resistant strains have been developed and tested under a variety of climatic conditions. For more details, contact: V D Aggarwal IITA Oyo Road PMB 5320 Ibadan NIGERIAVarieties of rainfed rice that are resistant to Blast, have high production potential, and are well adapted to African climates have been developed by plant breeders at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Carried by fungi,..