Bakanae

Bakanae or foolish seedling disease, is a seed-borne disease of rice (Oryza sativa) caused by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi. The disease is known to occur in many rice-growing regions worldwide, particularly in Asia. The name "Bakanae", which means "foolish seedling" in Japanese, was given due to the abnormal elongation of infected seedlings.

Etymology

The term "Bakanae" is derived from the Japanese words "baka" meaning "foolish" and "nae" meaning "seedling". This name was given due to the abnormal growth of the infected seedlings, which grow significantly taller than healthy ones and then die.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Bakanae disease are often visible at the seedling stage. Infected seedlings show excessive elongation, with thin, elongated, and weak stems. The leaves of infected plants are often chlorotic and the plants may eventually die. In some cases, infected plants may survive but produce empty or partially filled grains.

Cause

Bakanae is caused by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi. The fungus infects the rice seeds and grows in the seedling, causing it to elongate abnormally. The fungus produces gibberellin, a plant hormone that promotes cell elongation, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

Management

Management of Bakanae disease involves the use of resistant varieties, seed treatment with fungicides, and good field sanitation practices. Crop rotation and the use of clean, disease-free seeds can also help in managing the disease.

Related Terms

• Fusarium: A genus of fungi, including the species Fusarium fujikuroi that causes Bakanae disease.
• Gibberellin: A plant hormone that promotes cell elongation. It is produced by the Fusarium fujikuroi fungus in Bakanae disease.
• Oryza sativa: The scientific name for rice, the primary host of the Fusarium fujikuroi fungus.

See Also

• Rice Diseases
• Fusarium Wilt
• Seedborne Diseases

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