A Greenhouse Test for Screening Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris) for Resistance to Rhizoctonia Solani

Rhizoctonia solani Kühn is a serious plant pathogenic fungus, causing various types of damage to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). In Europe, the disease is spreading and becoming a threat for the growing of this crop. Plant resistance seems to be the most practical and economical way to control the disease. Experiments were carried out to optimise a greenhouse procedure to screen plants of sugar beet for resistance to R. solani. In the first experiment, two susceptible accessions were evaluated for root and leaf symptoms, after being grown in seven different soil mixtures and inoculated with R. solani. The fungus infected all plants. It was concluded that leaf symptoms were not reliable for the rating of disease severity. Statistically significant differences between the soil mixtures were observed, and there were no significant differences between the two accessions. The two soil mixtures, showing the most severe disease symptoms, were selected for a second experiment, including both resistant and susceptible accessions. As in the first experiment, root symptoms were recorded using a 1–7 scale, and a significant expression of resistance was observed. The average severity of the disease in the greenhouse experiment generally was comparable with the infection in field experiments, and the ranking of the accessions was the same in the two types of experiments. It was concluded that evaluation procedures in the greenhouse could be used as a rapid assay to screen sugar beet plants for resistance to R. solani.     

Quantitative reproductive potential of Heterodera schachtii on weeds typical for late summer fallow in sugar beet rotations

In Europe, sugar beet is often produced in a 3‐year rotation with cereals, leaving stubble fields fallow from cereal harvest until primary tillage in autumn in the year prior to sugar beet production. The weed flora on such fields could include host plants of Heterodera schachtii that is one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Crop sequences with non‐hosts and cover cropping with resistant cruciferous hosts during this period have been crucial for its management. Availability of resistant and tolerant sugar beet cultivars could entice growers to forego cover cropping, exacerbating weed problems during the fallow period. The objective of this study was to determine the reproductive potential of H. schachtii on weeds that develop during this period. Under glasshouse conditions, reproduction on 39 plant species was compared with that on oilseed radish and sugar beet of differing nematode host status. In 2 years in field microplots, 18 previously tested species were grown in H. schachtii‐infested soil during the typical fallow period at 60 plants m^?2, and nine of these species were also grown at 180 plants m^?2. There were variable results between years after 8 weeks of growth, but most weeds allowed lower reproduction (<10%) than the susceptible sugar beet; only Stellaria media at 180 plants m^?2 and Thlaspi arvense at both plant densities increased nematodes. Such weed densities may seldom occur under commercial conditions; thus, weed management for nematological considerations during the stubble period may have limited importance.     

Identification of sugar beet germplasm EL51 as a source of resistance to post-emergence Rhizoctonia damping-off

Resistance of sugar beet seedlings to Rhizoctonia damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani has not been described. A series of preliminary characterisations using a single susceptible host and four different R. solani isolates suggested the disease progression pattern was predictable. Two AG-4 isolates and a less virulent AG-2-2 isolate (W22) showed a comparable pattern of disease progression in the growth chamber where disease index values increased for the first 5–6 days, were relatively constant for the next 7–8 days, and declined thereafter. Seedlings inoculated with a highly virulent AG-2-2 isolate (R-1) under the same conditions showed similar patterns for the first 4 days post-inoculation; however disease index values continued to increase until seedling death at 13–14 days. Similar results were observed in the greenhouse, and a small expanded set of other germplasm lines were screened. One tested germplasm accession, EL51, survived seedling inoculation with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, and its disease progress pattern was characterised. In a field seedling disease nursery artificially inoculated with R. solani AG-2-2 R-1, seedling persistence was high with EL51, but not with a susceptible hybrid. Identification of EL51 as a source of resistance to Rhizoctonia damping-off may allow investigations into the Beta vulgaris–Rhizoctonia solani pathosystem and add value in sugar beet breeding.     

Genetic variability among isolates of Fusarium oxysporum from sugar beet

Fusarium yellows, caused by the soil‐borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. betae (Fob), can lead to significant yield losses in sugar beet. This fungus is variable in pathogenicity, morphology, host range and symptom production, and is not a well characterized pathogen on sugar beet. From 1998 to 2003, 86 isolates of F. oxysporum and 20 other Fusarium species from sugar beet, along with four F. oxysporum isolates from dry bean and five from spinach, were obtained from diseased plants and characterized for pathogenicity to sugar beet. A group of sugar beet Fusarium isolates from different geographic areas (including nonpathogenic and pathogenic F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. proliferatum and F. avenaceum), F. oxysporum from dry bean and spinach, and Fusarium DNA from Europe were chosen for phylogenetic analysis. Sequence data from β‐ tubulin, EF1α and ITS DNA were used to examine whether Fusarium diversity is related to geographic origin and pathogenicity. Parsimony and Bayesian MCMC analyses of individual and combined datasets revealed no clades based on geographic origin and a single clade consisting exclusively of pathogens. The presence of FOB and nonpathogenic isolates in clades predominately made up of Fusarium species from sugar beet and other hosts indicates that F. oxysporum f. sp. betae is not monophyletic.     

Pathotypes and phylogenetic variation determine downy mildew epidemics in Brassica spp. in Australia

Isolates of Hyaloperonospora brassicae inoculated onto cotyledons of 28 diverse Brassicaceae genotypes, 13 from Brassica napus, two from B. juncea, five from B. oleracea, two from Eruca vesicaria, and one each from B. nigra, B. carinata, B. rapa, Crambe abyssinica, Raphanus sativus and R. raphanistrum, showed significant effects (P ≤ 0.001) of isolate, host and their interaction. Host responses ranged from no visible symptom or a hypersensitive response, to systemic spread and abundant pathogen sporulation. Isolates were generally most virulent on their host of origin. Using an octal classification, six host genotypes were identified as suitable host differentials to characterize pathotypes of H. brassicae and distinguished eight distinct pathotypes. There were fewer, but more virulent, pathotypes in 2015–2016 isolates than 2006–2008 pathogen populations, probably explaining the increase in severity of canola downy mildew over the past decade. Phylogenetic relationships determined across 20 H. brassicae isolates collected in 2006–2008 and 88 isolates collected in 2015–2016 showed seven distinct clades, with 70% of 2006–2008 isolates distributed within clade I (bootstrap value (BVs) of 100%) and the remaining 30% in clade V (BVs 83.3%). This is the first study to define phylogenetic relationships of H. brassicae isolates in Australia, setting a benchmark for understanding current and future genetic shifts within pathogen populations; it is also the first to use octal classification to characterize pathotypes of H. brassicae, providing a novel basis for standardizing phenotypic characterization and monitoring of pathotypes on B. napus and some crucifer species in Australia.     

The development of juveniles of Heterodera schachtii in roots of resistant and susceptible genotypes of Sinapis alba,Brassica napus,Raphanus sativus and hybrids

The development ofHeterodera schachtii Schm. (beet cyst nematode, BCN) juveniles in roots of resistant and susceptible genotypes belonging to cruciferous crop species and hybrids was studied from 4 to 28 days after inoculation. No difference in root penetration by larvae was observed between resistant and susceptible plants.The development of nematodes in roots from resistant plants ofRaphanus sativus L., resistant xBrassicoraphanus Sageret and a resistant hybrid xBrassicoraphanus x Brassica napus L. was similar. BCN resistance in these three sources of plant material appeared to be related to an increased male:female nematode ratio as compared to the ratio found in susceptibleR. sativus plants.Also in resistant plants ofSinapis alba L. and a resistant intergeneric hybridS. alba x B. napus the increase in male:female nematode ratio, as compared to the ratio found for susceptibleS. alba cultivars and a susceptible intergeneric hybridS. alba x B. napus, seemed to be related with the observed resistance. In roots of the resistantS. alba and of a resistant hybridS. alba x B. napus, however, BCN resistance might also be due to a slower development of larvae and increased necrosis of root cells at the site of larval penetration.     

Composition of the stubble weed flora and its role for Heterodera schachtii in the year preceding sugar beet production

In Germany, sugar beet is often rotated with 2 years of cereal. Extensive fallow periods between cereal harvest and autumn primary tillage allow for a weed flora to develop. Broad‐leaved weeds could potentially be alternate hosts for the common nematode Heterodera schachtii, one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Between 2009 and 2012, annual weeds developing in cereal stubble fields during July to mid‐October in the season prior to sugar beet were surveyed, including known hosts of H. schachtii. Yearly weather patterns and agronomic practices possibly impacted weed species composition and weed population densities. During September, Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Convolvulus arvensis, Mercurialis annua, Polygonum spp., Solanum nigrum and Sonchus spp. occurred at the highest frequencies. Weed hosts of H. schachtii were present, but densities, frequencies and uniformity were limited. In 2010 and 2011, staining for nematodes in roots revealed juvenile penetration of some weeds but few adult stages. No indication of nematode reproduction of H. schachtii was found on these weed hosts. A fairly stable weed flora was detected on stubble fields that could provide some carry over for weed species. An elevated risk for nematode population density build‐up on these weeds was not found and management of these weeds at the observed densities during the stubble period for nematological reasons appeared unnecessary.     

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies associated with the crucifer white leaf spot pathogen,Pseudocercosporella capsellae,in Western Australia

Pseudocercosporella capsellae (white leaf spot disease) is an important disease on crucifers. Fifty‐four single‐conidial isolates collected from Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), B. napus (oilseed rape), B. rapa (turnip), and Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish) across Western Australia were investigated for differences in pathogenicity and virulence using cotyledon screening tests, genetic differences using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and growth rates on potato dextrose, V8 juice and malt extract agars. All isolates from the four crucifer hosts were pathogenic on the three test species: B. juncea, B. napus and R. raphanistrum, but showed differences in levels of virulence. Overall, isolates from B. juncea, B. napus and B. rapa showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on R. raphanistrum and intermediate virulence on B. napus. Isolates from R. raphanistrum showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on B. napus and intermediate virulence on R. raphanistrum. Growth and production of a purple‐pink pigment indicative of cercosporin was greatest on malt extract agar and cercosporin production on V8 juice agar was positively correlated with virulence of isolates on B. juncea and B. napus. ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates collected from B. napus, B. juncea and B. rapa, in general and with few exceptions, had a high degree of genetic similarity. In contrast, isolates from R. raphanistrum were clearly differentiated from isolate groups collected from Brassica hosts. Pseudocercosporella capsellae reference isolates from other countries generally grouped into a single separate cluster, highlighting the genetic distinctiveness of Western Australian isolates.     

Different Classes of Resistance to Turnip Mosaic Virus in Brassica rapa

Pathotype-specific and broad-spectrum resistance to turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) have been identified in the diploid A genome brassica species Brassica rapa. The pathotype-specific resistance is effective against pathotype 1 isolates of TuMV, which are the most common in Europe. It is almost identical in its specificity to that of a mapped resistance gene (TuRB01) present in the A genome of the amphidiploid species Brassica napus. A mutant of a pathotype 1 isolate of TuMV (UK 1M) that is able to overcome TuRB01 also overcame the B. rapa resistance. This, combined with the fact that a single-nucleotide mutation in the cylindrical inclusion gene of TuMV that has been shown to induce a change from avirulence to virulence against TuRB01, had an identical effect on the B. rapa resistance, suggest that the two resistances are conditioned by the same gene. A second source of resistance in B. rapa prevented systemic spread of all TuMV isolates tested. A third source of resistance that appears to provide immunity to, or severely restrict replication of most isolates of TuMV has been characterised. This resistance source also prevented systemic spread of all TuMV isolates tested. Prior to this study, no resistance to pathotype 4 or pathotype 12 isolates of TuMV had ever been identified. For each of these three resistance sources, plant lines that are not segregating for some of the resistance phenotypes and that are presumably homozygous for the genes controlling these phenotypes have been generated. Strategies for further characterising and deploying these resistances in different Brassica species are described.     

Effects of soil moisture and sowing depth on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis>

The effects of soil moisture (varying from 15% to 42% (v/v)) and sowing depth (1.5–6.0 cm) on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and its antagonist Trichoderma harzianum were studied under greenhouse conditions. The four possible combinations of soil infestation with both fungi were tested. Disease severity, percentage of plants emerged, plant height and dry weight were evaluated 3 weeks after sowing. Emergence rate and growth of plants inoculated only with R. solani were not affected by soil moisture, but in the presence of both fungi, plant emergence, plant height and dry weight significantly decreased when soil moisture diminished. Deep sowing significantly reduced the emergence rate and growth of those plants that were inoculated with R. solani only. However, when the soil was infested with both fungi, the effect of sowing depth was not significant. At a sowing depth of 6.0 cm, the percentage of plants emerged was 50% in the presence of T. harzianum, but only 6.7% when the pathogen was inoculated alone. The antagonist protected bean seedlings from pre-emergence damping-off, reduced disease severity and increased plant growth in the presence of R. solani, especially in moist soil.     

Correlation between lipid peroxidation and phenolics content in leaves and roots of sugar beet infected with Rhizoctonia solani

The correlation between intensity of lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant capacity of sugar beet plants (cv. ‘Drena’) infected with Rhizoctonia solani Kühn isolate (AG 2-2 IIIB group) was studied. Successful inoculation was confirmed by the presence of infection cushions in a cross section of leaf petioles. On the 7^th day of the experiment, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; EC. 4.3.1.5) activity was in negative correlation with intensified lipid peroxidation process in leaves of sugar beet plants (r= –0 .99). Also, in leaves and roots of inoculated sugar beet plants, total flavonoids content (35% and 20%, respectively) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity (80% and 55%, respectively) were significantly reduced. Necrotic processes resulting from R. solani infection of sugar beet plants was followed by induction of plant phenolics metabolism; however, antioxidant capacity of these plants was reduced.     

水稻纹枯病生防细菌筛选及其与病原菌侵染垫形成的关系

为筛选对立枯丝核菌Rhizoctonia solani具有拮抗作用的生防细菌,利用稀释涂布平板法,从吉林省水稻纹枯病样中分离筛选出对立枯丝核菌AG-1A具有高拮抗活性的生防菌株,通过gyrB基因序列分析鉴定其分类地位,并采用离体侵染试验和温室防治试验测定筛选生防菌株对水稻纹枯病的防效,在显微镜下观察生防菌株预处理后接种...     

Effect of host and non‐host crops on Plasmodiophora brassicae resting spore concentrations and clubroot of canola

Plasmodiophora brassicae, causal agent of clubroot of crucifers, poses a serious threat to Canadian canola production. The effects of fallow (F) periods and bait crops (clubroot‐susceptible canola (B) and perennial ryegrass (R)) on clubroot severity and P. brassicae resting spore populations were evaluated in five sequences: R–B, B–R, R–F, B–F and F–F. Both host and non‐host bait crops reduced clubroot severity in a subsequent crop of a susceptible canola cultivar compared with fallow. Resting spore and P. brassicae DNA concentrations decreased in all treatments, but were lowest for the R–B and B–R bait crop sequences. In addition, two studies were conducted in mini‐plots under field conditions to assess the effect of rotation of susceptible or resistant canola cultivars on clubroot severity and P. brassicae resting spore populations. One study included three crops of susceptible canola compared with a 2‐year break of oat–pea, barley–pea, wheat–wheat or fallow–fallow. The other study assessed three crops of resistant canola, two crops of resistant canola with a 1‐year break, one crop of resistant canola and a 2‐year break, and a 3‐year break with barley followed by a susceptible canola. The rotations that included non‐host crops of barley, pea or oat reduced clubroot severity and resting spore concentrations, and increased yield, compared with continuous cropping of either resistant or susceptible canola. Growing of a susceptible canola cultivar contributed 23–250‐fold greater gall mass compared with resistant cultivars.     

越冬前北方不同类型强冬性冬油菜形态及生理响应研究

为了研究比较越冬前北方两种不同类型冬油菜的生长特性,于2020年10—11月选用强冬性白菜型冬油菜和强冬性甘蓝型冬油菜品种,分析其越冬前降温过程中的形态特征、光合特性和渗透调节物质含量变化,并与越冬率进行了相关性分析。结果表明,越冬前随着温度的降低,白菜型冬油菜根冠比增加164.7%,甘蓝型冬油菜根冠比变化不大,两个品种间差异显著,但二者组织含水量变化为69%~89%,变化幅度较小。随着温度的降低,白菜型冬油菜和甘蓝型冬油菜的叶面积逐渐减小,下降幅度为5%~16%,叶绿素SPAD值整体呈现增加的趋势;光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度均逐渐下降,降幅为54%~64%,胞间CO₂浓度逐渐上升19%~29%。叶片和根部的可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量均增大,增幅为26%~91%;叶片可溶性糖含量先增加后降低,根部可溶性糖含量先降低后增加。叶片的钠离子和钾离子含量逐渐降低了20%~47%,钙离子含量先增加后降低;根部钾离子和钙离子含量先下降后上升;白菜型冬油菜根部钠离子含量呈现出逐渐上升的趋势,甘蓝型冬油菜呈现出先上升后下降的趋势。由此推断白菜型冬油菜陇油6号的抗寒性强于甘蓝型冬油菜2019-QL-GAU-30。     

Selective accumulation of Trichoderma species in soils suppressive to radish damping-off disease after repeated inoculations with Rhizoctonia solani, binucleate Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium rolfsii

Artificial suppression of radish damping-off disease was induced by repeated soil inoculations with Rhizoctonia solani, binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) and Sclerotium rolfsii in pot systems. Soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani and BNR showed suppressive to disease caused by R. solani and S. rolfsii, while soils repeatedly inoculated with S. rolfsii were suppressive to disease caused by S. rolfsii but not by R. solani. Species of Trichoderma were consistently isolated from soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani, BNR and S. rolfsii. These Trichoderma spp. accumulated selectively in relation to the fungal species that was repeatedly added to the soils. The ratios of the frequencies of T. viride, T. harzianum and T. hamatum were 5:2:2 and 8:5:2 in soils repeatedly inoculated with R. solani and BNR, respectively. In S. rolfsii- inoculated soils, T. koningii was predominantly isolated. T. viride, T. harzianum and T. hamatum isolates obtained from either R. solani or BNR after repeated additions to the soils suppressed radish damping-off disease caused after challenge inoculations with R. solani or S. rolfsii. Among the Trichoderma species, T. viride consistently yielded high levels of suppression. However, isolates of T. koningii obtained from S. rolfsii-infested soils suppressed disease caused by S. rolfsii but failed to suppress disease caused by R. solani. Generally, the species of Trichoderma accumulated in a selective pattern that was closely related to the species of fungal pathogen used to induce the suppressive soil.     

Medicago truncatula as a model host for studying legume infecting Rhizoctonia solani and identification of a locus affecting resistance to root canker

The broad‐host‐range necrotizing fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is responsible for economically significant diseases to crops as diverse as wheat, maize, barley, canola, sugar beet, potato, soyabean, bean, lupin and alfalfa. Germplasm screens in many of the crop hosts have not identified strong genetic resistance which, together with the lack of effective control, mean the pathogen remains a substantial problem for agriculture in many parts of the world. Following the establishment of a robust inoculation assay, a germplasm collection of the model legume Medicago truncatula was screened with various legume‐infecting isolates of R. solani. While some significant differences in susceptibility/resistance were detected between some lines, in the majority of cases M. truncatula was susceptible to R. solani. Comparison of a legume‐ and cereal‐infecting AG8 isolate with a legume‐specific AG11 isolate revealed no difference in pathogenicity between the two isolates when infecting M. truncatula. The most significant differences in susceptibility occurred with an AG6 isolate, which caused root canker. This included significant differences between the moderate resistance of the M. truncatula reference genotype A17 and the high susceptibility of line A20. The analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from A17 and A20 revealed a single locus contributing to the resistance in A17. Interestingly, the locus only affected the development of post‐emergent (late) symptoms, such as necrosis of cotyledons at 11 days after inoculation and root‐ and above‐ground‐weights, but not pre‐emergent seedling damping off. These findings pave the way for further studies to dissect the genetic and molecular mechanisms of resistance.     

Biotic changes in relation to local decrease in soil conduciveness to disease caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

The relationships between biotic changes and local decrease in soil conduciveness in disease patches towards the disease incited by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 in a sugar beet field in France were investigated. Soil samples from healthy and diseased areas were analysed for bacterial and fungal densities, molecular and physiological microbial community structures, and antagonistic abilities of Trichoderma isolates collected from diseased and healthy areas. Although the inoculum density was higher inside the disease patches, the respective soil was less conducive towards disease incited by R. solani AG 2-2. It was concluded that the pathogen was present in healthy areas but did not incite disease in field conditions. Conversely, the response of the microflora to previous development of R. solani in diseased areas prevented further pathogenic activity. Indeed, genetic and physiological structures of the fungal communities and physiological structures of the bacterial communities were modified in disease patches compared to healthy areas. The terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis revealed that the peaks corresponding to R. solani and Trichoderma spp. were higher inside the patches than in the healthy areas. Trichoderma isolates from the disease patches were more antagonistic than those from the healthy areas. These results suggest that disease caused by R. solani AG 2-2 induced changes in genetic and physiological structure of microbial populations and development of antagonists. The decreased conduciveness inside the patches may help explain patch mobility in the following season.     

Effect of label and sublabel rates of metam sodium in combination with<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma hamatum,T. harzianum,T. virens,T. viride</Emphasis> on survival and growth of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

This work was undertaken to determine the effects ofTrichoderma spp. combined with label and sublabel rates of metam sodium on survival ofRhizoctonia solani in soil. Soils were infested with wheat bran preparations ofTrichoderma hamatum Tri-4,T. harzianum Th-58,T. virens Gl-3, andT. viride Ts-1-R3. Soil was also infested with sterile beet seeds that were colonized withR. solani. Beet seeds were later recovered, plated onto water agar plus antibiotics, and the growth ofR. solani was recorded. Preliminary experiments showed thatT. hamatum andT. virens reduced survival and saprophytic activity ofR. solani when the biocontrol fungi were incorporated into soil at 1.5% (w:w) or greater. Based on these data, biocontrol fungi in subsequent experiments were incorporated into soil at 2%. Metam sodium at label rate killed all biocontrol fungi andR. solani. At 1:2 and 1:5 dilutions, metam sodium reduced survival ofR. solani and allTrichoderma spp. When biocontrol fungi plus the label rate of metam sodium and 1:5, 1:10, 1:50 or 1:100 dilutions of the label rate were tested together, there were no interactions between any biocontrol agent and the fumigant with respect to colony diameter, reflecting that allTrichoderma isolates tested reacted similarly to increasing concentrations of metam sodium. At the label rate of metam sodium, allTrichoderma spp. significantly reduced colony diameter, but not growth rate, ofR. solani from beet seed. For the levels of metam sodium tested in combination withTrichoderma, it does not appear feasible to use a reduced rate of metam sodium to controlR. solani. However, the combination ofTrichoderma with metam sodium does reduce growth ofR. solani in comparison with that provided by metam sodium at the label rate. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 11, 2004.     

Cytomolecular aspects of rice sheath blight caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

Sheath blight, caused by anastomosis group 1-IA of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk), is one of the most destructive rice diseases worldwide. The pathogen is able to infect plants belonging to more than 27 families, including many economically important monocots and dicots such as rice, wheat, alfalfa, bean, peanut, soybean, cucumber, papaya, corn, potato, tomato and sugar beet. It is a soil borne necrotrophic fungus that survives in plant debris as sclerotia, which are small brown-to-black, rocklike reproductive structures. The sclerotia can survive in the soil for several years and infect rice plants at the water-plant interface in the flooded field by producing mycelia. Management of rice sheath blight requires an integrated approach based on the knowledge of each stage of the disease and cytomolecular aspects of rice defence responses against R. solani. This review summarizes current knowledge on molecular aspects of R. solani pathogenicity, genetic structure of the pathogen populations, and the rice-R. solani interaction with emphasis on cellular and molecular defence components such as signal transduction pathways, various plant hormones, host defence genes and production of defence-related proteins involved in basal and induced resistance in rice against sheath blight disease.