Proactively prevent and control rice blast disease - ensuring rice yield in the 2025 Summer-Autumn crop

The Regional Agricultural Technical Station XII is in charge of agricultural production in 04 wards (Chieng Sinh, Chieng An, Chieng Coi, To Hieu) and 02 communes (Chieng Mung, Muoi Noi). In the 2025 Winter-Spring crop, the total rice cultivation area of ​​the whole region will reach more than 1,090 hectares, mainly concentrated in the communes of Chieng Mung, Muoi Noi and the wards of Chieng Sinh, Chieng An, Chieng Coi.

Photo: Rice field in tillering stage - Chieng Mung commune

Although this is an important crop, the weather conditions at the beginning of the season were unfavorable with prolonged heavy rains alternating with intense heat. This created a favorable environment for many pests and diseases to arise, especially rice blast disease, one of the most dangerous pests for rice plants.

Understand the laws and developments of pests and diseases that are likely to arise and cause harm. The Agricultural Technical Station of Region XII has proactively developed a periodic investigation plan every 7 days in communes and wards with large areas of concentrated rice cultivation; conduct additional and expanded investigations in rice production areas in the Station's area of ​​responsibility to predict the situation of pests and diseases that are likely to cause harm to rice.

As soon as the rice blast disease was discovered causing damage to the tillering stage, the Plant Protection and Extension Unit advised the Station to issue Official Dispatch No. 08/HD-TKTNN dated July 30, 2025 guiding the prevention and control of rice pests and diseases in the 2025 Summer-Autumn crop to communes and wards to coordinate in propagating to farmers to proactively prevent and control rice pests and diseases in a timely and effective manner, ensuring that pests and diseases do not break out into epidemics that harm rice.

Through regular investigation and monitoring, the Agricultural Technical Station of Region XII recorded the appearance of leaf blast disease in some rice areas at the tillering stage, causing severe damage locally in Chieng Mung commune, Chieng Sinh ward, Chieng An...

Photo: Rice blast

Rice blast disease is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae . The disease often appears when the air humidity is high, the weather is cloudy, there is a lot of rain and the temperature is high from 25-28°C, especially when farmers apply too much nitrogen fertilizer.

The initial lesions are small green spots on the leaves. They then enlarge into diamond-shaped, grayish-white spots with a dark brown halo and a small dot in the center. When the disease is severe, the lesions will join together, causing the entire leaf to burn.

Photo: Close-up of diseased leaf

If not detected and treated promptly, the disease can cause severe damage, reducing rice yield by 30-50%, even causing total loss of the entire area.

To limit damage and effectively prevent rice blast disease, the Agricultural Technical Station of Region XII recommends that farmers take the following measures:

Check the fields regularly: Farmers should visit the fields at least 2-3 times/week to detect early signs of disease and promptly treat the area.

Proper fertilizer management: Balance fertilizer between nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium, avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer. When disease is detected, stop nitrogen fertilizer immediately and keep the water level in the field at 3-5 cm.

Select disease-resistant varieties: Use rice varieties that are resistant to blast disease and suitable for local soil and climate conditions.

Use the medicine properly: When the rate of infected leaves is 5% or more, it is necessary to spray special medicine according to the instructions of the technical staff. The most effective time to spray medicine is early morning or cool afternoon, avoid spraying when it is raining.

In the coming time, the Agricultural Technical Station of Region XII will continue to organize periodic surveys every 7 days, and at the same time coordinate with local authorities to strengthen propaganda and provide technical guidance so that farmers can proactively prevent and control diseases, ensuring high productivity for the 2025 Summer-Autumn crop.

Source: https://sonnmt.sonla.gov.vn/trong-trot-va-bao-ve-thuc-vat/chu-dong-phong-tru-benh-dao-on-la-dam-bao-nang-suat-lua-vu-mua-2025-932955