Two methods were used for conidial harvesting: extraction through sieving and aseptic wash. For conidia sieving, ten bags with sporulated fungus were selected and sieved. The conidia obtained were maintained in 50 ml plastic tubes (Labconco, USA) at 4C and low humidity in refrigerator. The sieved rice was washed (aseptic wash) in 2 l of 0.01% of sterile Tween. The spore suspension obtained was stored under the same conditions as the sieved material.