Effect of weather parameters on infestation of blast disease (Pyricularia oryzae) in rabi season rice (Oryza sativa L.) in East & South eastern coastal plain of Odisha

An investigation was carried out at Agrometeorological field, Central Research Farm, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar in rabi season, 2017 in natural condition on study of various aspects of effect of weather (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, rainfall, maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity, wind velocity, bright sunshine hours and evaporation) on infestation of P. grisea in rice (in the varieties Khandagiri and Lalat). In rabi season among the two varieties, Lalat variety showed the higher blast incidence (2.17%) whereas Khandagiri variety showed lowest blast incidence (1.32%).