2.7. Combination of antagonists and thermotherapy in controlled trials
Rice seeds were treated by a combination of the most efficient thermotherapy methods with each antagonist as follows. The seeds were placed in a water bath at 60 _C for 5 or 10 min, and air-dried for 2 h. Then, the seeds were dipped in flasks with the yeast cell suspensions (108 cells ml_1) on a rotary shaker (90 rpm) for 15 min. The seeds, after air drying, were sown in plastic pots by adopting a randomised block design, and the plants were grown in greenhouse under same conditions as described above. The treatments included single (antagonists and thermotherapy) and
combined (antagonist + thermotherapy) applications. Prochloraz (Octave) was used as a chemical standard. Three replicates were used in each trial. Germination rate and disease symptoms were scored twice, 14 and 28 days after sowing. The efficacy on rice plants was tested twice.