†Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Universiy.
‡Present Address: Deputy Director, Plant Pathology, Central Plant Protection Training Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030.
Incidence of stem rot disease of rice on two rice varieties viz., Kannagi and IR-20 decreased significantly with increased application of potassium in soil. It is probable that potassium nutrition at a higher level would have discouraged the establishment of the stem rot fungus either by increasing the mechanical resistance or by altering the biochemical make up of plants unpalatable to the fungus.
