noun
rice blast; rice blight
A serious fungal disease of rice caused by Pyricularia oryzae. The term is used in agriculture and plant pathology.
今年は稲熱の被害が広がっている。
This year, rice blast damage is spreading.
いもち病に強い品種を開発する。
Develop a variety resistant to rice blast disease.
いもち病 is the full term for 'rice blast disease', while 稲熱 can be used as a shorter form in some contexts.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 稲 (rice plant) and 熱 (heat/fever) may refer to the scorched appearance of infected plants.