Impact of Fungi on Plants

When considering the “Impact of fungi on plants in Guyana” its essential to first look at its
impact on Agricultural/ Export commodities since these have the most “impact” on the country’s
economy. In Guyana, fungi mostly affect the Rice production sector causing great losses due to
infections represented by slow growth, wilting leaving and shoots and even death by decay.

Common Rice Fungi are:

Rice Blast (Pyricularia grisea, P. oryzae, (Perfect stage -Magnaporthea oryzae)
Recommended fungicides in Guyana are: Fugi-one, Manzate and Carbendazim.

Sheath Blight (Rhizoctonia solani)

Brown spot (Bipolaris oryzae (synonyms Dreschlera oryzae and Helminthosporium oryzae)
Seed treatment with captan, carbendazim, or mancozeb

Sheath rot Sarocladium oryzae (Acrocylindrium oryzae)

False smut/ Green smut (Ustilaginoidea virens)- this is a minor infection

To Combat fungal diseases and its impact on Agricultural crops in Guyana, the use of
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) has been introduced. Example of this is seen with rice
(Paddy grains) but due to mutating fungal species, new resistant or GMO rice species must be
continually studied, produced and enhanced. Alternatively considering:
- Using water or fungi resistant specie (Tall cultivars are preferable)
- Keeping environs clean from debris and alternative host plants.
- Using fertilizer with right portion of or none Nitrogen at all.
- Planting space out so that it isn’t densely packed.
- Avoiding drought,
- Planting in favorable conditions or particular period of the year.

Reference: Arvindo Singh A. 2016. Plant Pathology. Retrieved from: https://grdb.gy/plant-

pathology/