Course Overview
Biotic stresses due to pests and diseases are dynamic, and their occurrence is influenced by several factors, such as host genotype, cropping practices, and extreme weather events brought about by climate change. Major diseases caused by pathogens, and nematodes and insect pests, such as brown planthoppers, green leafhoppers and stemborers, reduce rice yields in different ecosystems, if these are not properly assessed and managed.
The use of host plant resistance is generally considered as the most economical, practical and environment-friendly strategy for pest management. It enables farmers to reduce yield losses, improve productivity and profitability without reliance on pesticides, which becomes increasingly important in the face of climate change. However, robust screening protocols are often lacking or not standardized. Hence, capacity development on the protocols used at IRRI for evaluation of resistance to biotic stresses will facilitate the identification and selection of resistant genotypes. A standard protocol will facilitate collaboration among different institutes. Acquiring skills in the evaluation of rice genotypes to biotic stresses is crucial for developing pest management strategies.
This two-week hands-on training course is designed to equip the participants with experiential skills in identification, collection, isolation,and evaluation of damages caused by major rice pests and diseases through immersive and applied learning.
The major rice diseases and pests covered by this course are bacterial blight, leaf and neck blast, sheath blight, false smut and tungro, root-knot nematode, brown planthopper, green leafhopper and yellow stemborer.
Course Objectives
In this training course, the participants are expected to:
- Familiarize themselves with the major pests and diseases of rice
- Obtain basic skills in proper handling and maintenance of pathogens and pests
- Undergo hands-on training on IRRI’s standard protocols for the evaluation of rice germplasm against major insect pests, nematode and diseases
- Learn skills in the interpretation of evaluation results
- Develop the ability to set-up appropriate conditions for the evaluation of resistance to insect pests, diseases, and nematode
Key Modules
- Overview of the major rice diseases and pests
- Collection and rearing of insects and nematodes in the greenhouse
- Collection, isolation, purification and preservation of pathogens
- Artificial pathogen inoculation and insect infestation of host plants
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Target Participants
The course is intended for IRRI Staff, NARES partners, scientists, and students from research institutions. The training can accommodate 20 participants.
Learning Modality
The course will be delivered face-to-face through a mixed modality of synchronous and asynchronous discussions with hands-on exercises in the laboratory, greenhouse, and open concrete beds, and field trips.