A new line of long grain rice that fends off two key fungal diseases has been released to breeders and seed companies.
Few cultivars grown today by American farmers can withstand both of the diseases.
ARS researchers developed, tested and released the line, dubbed B82-761. It resists Rhizoctonia solani and nine races of Pyricularia grisea . Throughout the South, the two diseases can cause yield losses of 10 to 50 percent in rice fields. Breeders can use B82-761 to develop rice that fends off both. ARS scientists produced the resistant line by crossing Vista, a medium grain rice, with Lebonnet, a long grain variety.