Samples of rice seeds and grains were collected from different localities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul during 2000-2001 (62 samples) and 2001-2001 (194 samples). Samples from the localities of Agro Reis, Agudo, Alegrete, Arambaré, Arroio Grande, Bagé, Caçapava do Sul, Cachoeira do Sul, Cachoeirinha, Camaquã, Canguçu, Capão do Leão, Capivari do Sul, Dom Pedrito, Eldorado do Sul, Esteio, Guaíba, Herval, Itaquí, Júlio Castilhos, Morro Redondo, Palmares do Sul, Pedro Osório, Pelotas, Pinheiro Machado, Porto Alegre, Quaraí, Restinga Seca, Rio Grande, Rosário do Sul, Santa Vitória do Palmar, Santa Rita, Santo Ângelo, Santo Antônio, São Borja, São Gabriel, São Lourenço do Sul, São Luiz Gonzaga, Tapes, Turuçu, Uruguaiana and Viamão were evaluated for the presence of a pest not found in Brazil, Helicoceras spp. Using the blotter test, 400 seeds were examined for each sample. The fungus H. oryzae was found in three samples of the 2000-2001 season: 268 (EEA-406), 647 (FORMOSA) and 652 (IRGA 419) from Cachoeirinha. These results allowed confirmation of the presence of the fungus H. oryzae. The Conesul Committee of Plant Health and Safety is evaluating the exclusion of this fungus, considered a pest of minor importance, from the quarantine list. Future studies about dissemination and impacts of the disease are necessary to support effective control measures.
seeds; quarantine; Oryza sativa
