False smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahashi is known to cause significant quantitative and qualitative losses in grain yield. In response to the destructive nature of the pathogen, a survey was conducted during the Kharif 2024 in Anand, Kheda and Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat. Among all the surveyed districts highest incidence of false smut, based on the percentage of infected panicles per square meter, was recorded in Anand district (27.86%), followed by Kheda (17.61%), while the lowest incidence was observed in Ahmedabad (5.44%). Similarly, the percentage of infected spikelets per panicles were also highest (26.78) in Anand district, followed by Kheda (18.84%) and the lowest in Ahmedabad (4.74%)

False smut, rice, survey, Ustilaginoidea virens

Disease incidence of false smut of rice was recorded across major rice-growing districts of Gujarat viz., Anand, Kheda, and Ahmedabad, revealed significant variability in the incidence of false smut of rice (Ustilaginoidea virens). Anand district recorded the highest disease incidence, both in terms of per cent infected panicles per sq meter (27.86%) and per cent infected spikelets per panicle (26.78%), followed by Kheda (17.61%, 18.84%) and the least incidence in Ahmedabad (5.44%, 4.74%). The widespread cultivation of cultivars such as Moti Gold, Sriram-110, and GAR-13, frequently grown in high-incidence areas. The study findings are consistent with past literature from different agro-ecological regions, confirming the increasing threat of false smut in rice-growing belts and the need for region-specific disease management approaches. Effective management of false smut can be accomplished through the adoption of appropriate cultural practices, cultivation of resistant varieties and timely application of fungicides. Identifying high-risk regions is crucial for implementing site-specific interventions aimed at minimizing disease incidence and enhancing crop productivity

Gadhavi Pinal, Gangwar R.K. and Chaudhary Ajay (2025). Status of False Smut of Rice in Gujarat. Biological Forum, 17(8): 133-137