Rice Sheath Blight

Rice sheath blight (ShB), caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (sexual state: Thanatephorus cucumeris), is one of the three major rice diseases, leading to significant yield losses. The pathogen is soil-borne and capable of infecting a wide range of crops. R. solani consists of 14 anastomosis groups (AGs), designated AG1–AG13 and AGB1, with compatible strains forming genetically diverse fused mycelial networks.