Morphological characterization of Pyricularia oryzae causing blast disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.) from different zones of Karnataka

Study was conducted to describe the cultural and morphological characteristics such as colour and texture of the leaf blast pathogen Pyricularia oryzae on different solid media viz., Host extract agar, Oat meal agar, Potato dextrose agar and Richard's agar medium. Among all the solid media the highest mean mycelial growth (diameter) of the fungus Pyricularia oryzae was recorded on Host extract agar (40.80mm) followed by Oat meal agar (38.33 mm) and least mean mycelial growth of the P. oryzae on Rechard’s agar (28.4 mm). The highest mean dry mycelial weight(mg) Rechard’s agar(300.65mg) followed by Oat meal agar (234.67 mg) and least mean mycelial weight was recorded in Potato Dextrose agar (96.31 mg). In general, among all solid media the Host extract agar media is more appropriate for cultural and morphological study of rice blast fungus P. oryzae.