IHCM RESEARCH PROJECTS

RICE TUNGRO DISEASE

Rice Tungro Disease (RTD) is one of the most destructive rice viral disease reported in South and Southeast Asia. In the most severe cases, paddy plants infected at an early growth stage could result in a 100% yield loss of the affected field. The disease is caused by two viruses, Rice Tungro Bacilliform Virus (RTBV) and Rice Tungro Spherical Virus (RTSV), a DNA and RNA virus respectively, and is transmitted by green leafhoppers (GLH). 
Although, RTD has been reported in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah as early as the 1930s and 1070s respectively, in Sarawak, RTD was first detected in 2012. Subsequently, the disease has been detected in paddy fields throughout the state. Since Sarawak has beenear-marked to be a major rice producer for the country to increase self-suffiency and to reduce rice imports, it it important to manage the disease appropriately to prevent major RTD outbreaks.