also: とうねつびょう
rice blast; rice blight
A fungal disease of rice caused by Pyricularia oryzae; the most common name is いもち病. The term 稲熱病 is an older kanji form.
This year, because of the long rains, rice blast is spreading.
We are developing a variety resistant to rice blast.
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling; the reading いもちびょう is standard.
Kanji spelling using 稲 (rice plant) and 熱 (fever); the reading とうねつびょう is also recorded but rare.
Alternate reading for the kanji spelling 稲熱病; rarely used.
The term いもち is of uncertain origin; the kanji 稲熱病 literally means 'rice fever disease', reflecting the symptoms.