Suppression of Symptoms of Rice Tungro Virus Disease by Carbendazim. Joseph Thomas, Pool Officer, All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India. V. T. John, Senior Plant Pathologist, All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India. Plant Dis. 64:402-403. Copyright 1980 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-402.

High concentrations of carbendazim (Bavistin WP) markedly reduced leaf chlorosis, stunting, and decreased number of tillers by tungro virus disease in rice plants. The pathogen was present in carbendazim-treated plants and could be easily transmitted to healthy rice seedlings by the green leafhopper Nephotettix virescens. Treated plants showed more vigorous growth and gave better grain yield than did tungro-infected untreated plants. Low concentrations of carbendazim applied before inoculation of tungro virus delayed the onset of symptoms.