Screening and management of false smut disease in rice-A review

False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke), increasing concern in majority of rice growing areas around the world as epidemics have been reported lately. The fungus completely converts the grains into spore balls, unfit for consumption and seed production. With the increase in disease, yield loss and disease severity is accentuating. The QTLs responsible for the false smut resistance to be identified and consistent inheritability of these QTLs have to be evaluated using marker assisted selection. Due to heavy application of nitrogenous fertilizers the disease aggravates, proper management strategies needed to be framed to control the false smut disease. Progress in achieving the resistance varieties and management of false smut needs more emphasis. This review summarizes the present status in the screening of resistant varieties and management of false smut in rice.