A total of 188 samples of paddy seed were collected from different districts of Odisha in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and were used for testing the seed health status. Bacterial pathogens viz. Xanthomonas spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Burkholderia spp. were found associated with seeds. Burkholderia spp. was found to be associated with rice seed samples saved by farmers in Odisha, which is a new emerging pathogen causing panicle blight disease. Along with the bacterial pathogens some common fungal pathogens viz. Helminthosporium oryzae, Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp., Sarocladium oryzae, Alternaria spp., Trichoconis sp., Cladosporium sp. and Aspergilus spp. were found to be associated with the paddy seed samples

Rice Seed, Seed health test, Burkholderia spp., Pseudomonas spp. , Xanthomonas spp

The present study reveals the presence of Burkholderia sp. in rice seeds from different locations of Odisha. Current global climate change may be the cause of increase in bacterial panicle blight, as prolonged hot and humid conditions during the rice-growing season favour the development of serious epidemics of bacteria Burkholderia sp. This disease occur more frequently in tropical and semi-tropical regions during growing seasons with higher than normal temperatures and can survive in seeds. In a developing country where farmers have to save their own seed for planting, knowledge of seed health can be very important for crop and disease pest management. Since rice holds the immense cultural, economic significance, seed health management should be a pre requisite for successful rice cultivation and to protect the crop from such emerging pathogens.

Anita Priyadarsini (2021). Emerging Incidence of Burkholderia spp. in Rice Seed Samples of Odisha. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 766-771