There is no chemical that effectively control the Bacterial leaf blight of rice. Hence, development of innate resistance varieties is the only possible way to control the diseases. Researchers have been identified more than 35 genes that are resistance to bacterial leaf blight of rice from wild rice as well as varieties.

These resistance genes were transferred to high yielding non-resistance varieties through DNA marker assisted selection back cross breeding and proved resistance against the pathogen.

Combining or pyramiding of two or three resistant genes in a variety and developed resistance against most of the bacterial strains that produce bacterial leaf blight disease.  

Pyramiding of Xa5, Xa7, Xa13 and Xa21resistance genes in a variety showed high resistance against bacterial leaf blight. Resistance genes Xa13 and Xa21 combination showed resistance against all the bacterial strains that produce rice leaf blight disease in India.

These resistance genes were introgressed in to Pusa Basmati, BPT 5204 (Sona Masuri), Triguna  and many rice hybrids of private seed industries and proved resistance against bacterial leaf blight by conducting trials in the farmer’s field. 

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad and many research institute of the various countries doing research on bacterial leaf blight and introgressed resistance genes in rice varieties through molecular marker technology.