Fungicidal management of ShB often gives inconsistent results and is not economical. Indiscriminate use of fungicides and chemical fertilizers to increase rice yields has
several concerns relating to environmental hazards, pathogen resistance, leaching losses, and destruction of beneficial microflora. Use of plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biocontrol agents is gaining popularity in managing rice diseases and in enhancing growth and grain yields (Mew and Rosales, 1992).