Binam a Rice Cultivar, Resistant for Root Rot Disease on Rice Caused by Fusarium moniliforme in Northwest, Iran

Rice is a major crop in different parts of Northwest Iran especially in Zanjan province. Survey in cultivated rice in fields showed the plants were severely subjected to root rot and white head disease which caused yield losses in rice growing regions. A natural project was prepared from 2004 to 2006 to get general information on the causal agent of disease and its control management. Infected plants were collected from different studied areas and transferred to laboratory. Crown and plant roots were cultured in PDA as common media and PPA as selective media for Fusarium species after surface sterilization. Plates were incubated in standard culture room then isolated fungi were identified. Different Fusarium species were isolated , however the main pathogen isolated from plant samples and soil around the roots was Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon. The disease caused up to 75% yield losses in some fields in studied areas. The disease was more prevalent in areas where susceptible varieties were being cultivated continuously. Study showed the Binam cultivar was the main resistant to the disease and had the most yield production in the field.