Rice black-streaked dwarf

Rice black-streaked dwarf (RBSDV) is a serious viral disease caused by a reovirus. It affects various cereal crops and is a major concern for agricultural productivity in rice-growing regions globally, as it can cause significant yield loss in infected fields.

The virus primarily affects rice plants but also serves as a pathogen for maize, wheat, and barley. Wild grasses near agricultural lands often act as reservoirs for the virus, ensuring its survival during the off-season and providing a starting point for annual infections.

Symptomatology involves stunted growth, reduced tillering, and the emergence of dark-colored, waxy, or gall-like outgrowths along the leaf veins. As the disease progresses, the leaves become twisted and deformed, and affected rice plants often fail to produce fertile panicles, leading to sterility.

Transmission occurs exclusively via small brown planthoppers (Laodelphax striatellus). These insects acquire the virus by feeding on infected plants. Once they become carriers, they can transmit the virus to healthy plants throughout their entire lifespan, making them a primary target for disease management.

Managing this disease requires an integrated approach. Because there is no direct cure for the virus, the following preventative measures are essential:

• Applying systemic insecticides to control planthopper populations.
• Adjusting planting dates to avoid peaks in insect vector migration.
• Removing weeds that host the virus or the vector.
• Selecting and planting resistant or tolerant crop varieties.