First Report of Curvularia specifera the Cause of Leaf Spot Disease on Rice in Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Leaf spot disease was found to occur on rice grown in Badung Regency, Bali Indonesia at the end of 2016. A fungus was isolated from diseased-rice plant and was confirmed to cause inhibition to rice seed germination. More than 63% of the rice seed did not germinate after inoculated with the isolated fungus. Based on the Koch’s postulate test, the fungus caused of leaf spot disease symptom that appeared on the 3rd day with the disease intensity reached 34.26% on the 14th day. This fungus could also cause sheath spot disease on the 14th day. This study aimed to identify the species of fungus causing the leaf spot disease in rice plants. Based on macroscopic, microscopic and analysis of 18S rRNA gene, it was concluded that the fungus causing leaf spot disease in rice plant of Ciherang cultivar in Badung regency, Bali Indonesia is Curvularia spicifera.

Keywords: leaf spot disease, rice plant, Curvularia spicifera,