Method 1 Intercropping of two rice varieties

The use of biodiversity to manage crop diseases has gained increasing attention in recent years. Rice blast disease is one of the most significant rice diseases, and controlling it without the use of chemical pesticides has been a challenge. Youyong Zhu and colleagues from Yunnan Agricultural University have conducted in-depth studies on the control of rice blast disease through rice genetic diversity, selecting the best combination of varieties, and optimizing planting patterns (e.g. Zhu et al., 2000). Through this research, technical parameters and procedures were established, alongside a large application demonstration area. The method resulted in the effective control of the epidemic of rice blast disease without using pesticides, while simultaneously increasing rice yields and protecting a large number of rice genetic resources. It set a successful example for the use and protection of genetic biodiversity for crop production.

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