Defending rice crop from blast disease in the context of climate change for food security in Nepal

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dc.creatorKhadka, Ram Bahadur
dc.creatorManandhar, Hira Kaji
dc.creatorShrestha, Sundar
dc.creatorAcharya, Basistha
dc.creatorSharma, Pratiksha
dc.creatorBaidya, Suraj
dc.creatorLuu, Van Schepler
dc.creatorJoshi, Krishna Dev
dc.date2025-06-25
dc.date2025-09-23T03:03:11Z
dc.date2025-09-23T03:03:11Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T04:14:35Z
dc.descriptionBlast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae (teleomorph <Magnaporthe oryzae), is one of the most devastating diseases in rice, causing 10-30% yield losses and threatening Nepal’s food and nutritional security. The Himalayan foothills are hotspots for blast fungus diversity, leading to the rapid emergence of pathotypes that overcome resistance in mega rice varieties. In 2022, a neck blast epidemic devastated 5,000 hectares of Hardinath-1, a dry winter/spring rice variety in Chitwan, causing nearly 100% yield loss. The changing climate, especially during panicle initiation stages, has become more favourable for neck blast development. We reviewed 40 years of research and development on rice blast in Nepal, analysing historical weather patterns and mapping the incidence and severity of the disease across the country based on empirical observations and field experiments. Using historical data on rice blast incidence and climate information, we show that rice blast pressure is increasing intensively and changing weather patterns are becoming more favourable for rice blast epidemics. We identify emerging issues in rice blast and propose integrated strategies for effective management in Nepal. Key approaches include developing durable blast-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties using molecular markers and genomic tools and speed breeding, forecasting disease and pathotype emergence, and combining these with careful use of modern fungicides, plant defence activators, and biological control. Additionally, adjusting planting times, managing weeds, optimising agronomic practices, and ensuring proper water and nutrient management are essential for sustainable blast management.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/176617
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/26306
dc.languageen
dc.publisherFrontiers Media
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceKhadka, Ram Bahadur, Hira Kaji Manandhar, Sundar Shrestha, Basistha Acharya, Pratiksha Sharma, Suraj Baidya, Van Schepler Luu, and Krishna Dev Joshi. "Defending rice crop from blast disease in the context of climate change for food security in Nepal: A Review." Frontiers in Plant Science 16 (2025): 1511945.
dc.subjectrice
dc.subjectpyricularia oryzae
dc.subjectblasts
dc.subjectcrop yield
dc.subjectyield losses
dc.subjectfood security
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.subjectplant breeding
dc.subjectmolecular markers
dc.subjectfungicides
dc.subjectbiological control
dc.titleDefending rice crop from blast disease in the context of climate change for food security in Nepal
dc.typeJournal Article

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Instituto Internacional de Investigación del Arroz (IRRI)