Survey of Bacterial Blight Disease and the Need of Knowledge in Disease Management in Organic Rice System in Roi Et Province

Abstract

Bacterial blight disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) could damage rice yield from 2 to 74% in several rice-growing countries. An outbreak of this disease could be generally found on many rice field areas in Thailand especially in the area where susceptible rice varieties were grown. The aims of this study were to survey the incidence of the bacterial blight disease and to assess the needs of knowledge in disease management in organic rice system in Organic Rice Community Enterprise Group, Local Wisdom Leaning Center at Pathum Rat District, Roi Et Province. One hundred and eight farmers were selected by purposive sampling where their rice leaf samples were also collected. Disease survey showed that bacterial blight disease was found in 14 rice fields (13%) in Pathum Rat district and 92 bacterial isolates were obtained from KDML105, RD6 and red glutinous rice plants. To assess the need of knowledge for disease control management was done by questionnaire. The statistical method used to analyze the data included frequency, percentage, mean, maximum value, minimum value, and standard deviation. The results showed that more than 50% of the farmers have had the moderate knowledge level of bacterial blight disease and lacked of the knowledge on the disease control management. The farmers required the knowledge transfer on bacterial blight disease prevention through group extension from Agriculture Learning Center.