Bacterial leaf blight is a disease of rice caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. It was first identified in Japan in 1884. The disease causes wilting and death of rice seedlings within 3-4 weeks of transplanting. It enters through natural openings or wounds in the leaf. Lesions form on the leaves and turn yellow. Dew drops containing bacterial masses form on young lesions. The bacterium can be transmitted by irrigation water, rain, plant contact, or contaminated tools. Warm temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius and heavy rain or flooding create favorable conditions for the disease. Management strategies include growing resistant varieties, destroying infected plant debris, avoiding wounding of seedlings