EVALUATION OF SEVERAL RICE VARIETIES FOR HORIZONTAL RESISTANCE TO LEAF BLAST AND NECKROT (PYRICULARIA-ORYZAE) IN IVORY-COAST

A number of rice varieties including local, exotic and differential varieties were exposed to natural infections in four ecological zones (Bouake, Man, Odienne and Tombokro) in Ivory Coast. Four international race types, belonging to three international race groups IA, IB and IF were detected. Two races were identified in race group IA and one race in each of the groups IB and IF. The race group IA identified in Odienne was found to be the most virulent. The local varieties Malouka, Gnonkonsoka, Toubabou, Nembeika Azi, Kotoouro, Itame, Gbahoma and some developed cultivars; ITA 257, ITA 235 and Farox 299, IAC 164 and IDSA 6 appeared to have put up stable resistance to Pyricularia oryzae.