Investigation of Ecology, Molecular, and Host–Pathogen Interaction of Rice Blast Pathogen and Management Approaches

The rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a serious threat to global food security. The havoc caused by rice blast depends on the susceptibility of the rice cultivar, the virulence of the pathogen, the environmental conditions, and the application of fungicide. The severity of this pathogen comes from its ability to multiply and survive in ruthless environmental conditions. A good understanding of the causal agent of the disease, its life cycle, occurrence, distribution, epidemiology, symptoms, and management technique will offer a good insight into the disease extent and give appropriate and 52effective decision-making in its management. So, various strategies have been emerged for controlling the blast disease. These controlling methods are categorized as cultural control, resistant varieties, chemical control, and biological control. Many chemicals were utilized to manage the disease but are found expensive, and less effective over time, so eco-friendly chemical compounds, such as organomercuric, organophosphorus, and copper fungicides were used. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pyricularia oryzae, Bipolaris sorokinianaat, and Trichoderma harzianum are known as the most biological control agents used for hindering the pathogenic fungi. The success and effectiveness of biological control rely on the capability of the biocontrolling microorganism to survive and inhibit itself in the environment.