rice blast

American  

noun

Plant Pathology.

1. a disease of rice caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryae, characterized by elliptical leaf spots with reddish-brown margins, brownish lesions and neck rot of the fruiting panicles, and stunting of the plant.

---

Example Sentences

Making matters worse, rice blast, a fungal disease that normally arrives later in the season, had made an early appearance.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2022

For instance, rice blast disease, which the plants effectively combatted, causes an estimated 30% loss of the annual rice crop worldwide.

From Science Magazine • May 18, 2017