Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is perhaps the most widely cultivated food crop worldwide; it is consumed by approximately 50% of the world’s population, and its consumption has been dramatically increased in many parts of the world (White 1994). Various factors affect rice productivity, including diseases. Bacterial blight (BB) is the most devastating bacterial disease of rice. It occurs in epidemic areas of the world and can result in yield loss of up to 50% (Ou 1985).