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Report on the Occurrence of Atypical Fungal Pathogens Isolated from Rice Fields in Haenam, Korea, in 2025

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: During July 2025 in Haenam, Korea, abnormal weather conditions, including prolonged rainfall, elevated temperatures, and sustained humidity, were observed. To assess potential shifts in rice-associated fungal communities under these conditions, 32 symptomatic rice samples were collected and subjected to fungal isolation and internal transcribed spacer-based identification. Unlike the typical dominance of Magnaporthe oryzae, Bipolaris oryzae, and Rhizoctonia solani, a high frequency of Alternaria spp. and other fungi not traditionally regarded as major rice pathogens were recovered. This brief note summarizes the fungal diversity observed during this unusual climatic period and highlights the potential emergence of opportunistic or previously overlooked fungi in Korean rice fields. The information is intended to guide local farmers and field managers in monitoring atypical disease symptoms.

Source: Research in Plant Disease

DOI: 10.5423/rpd.2025.31.4.417

Authors: Youngmin Kim, Young-sik Yoon, Sunmin An, Sook-Young Park

Institution: Sunchon National University

Language: English

Topic: Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $700