Cultural practices useful for BB control vary depending on the
location and disease incidence records. At the nursery stage,
methods include seed disinfection (see below), proper nursery
drainage, and removal of diseased plants, weeds and debris.
Prior to transplanting, fields may be disinfected by burning rice
straw left from the previous season. Weeds are removed from
canals and ridges in order to reduce natural habitats for the
pathogen and its dispersal through irrigation water. At the paddy
field stage, judicious fertilization and proper plant spacing are
the most recommended cultural methods of control (Goto, 1992;
Mizukami and Wakimoto, 1969).