Ustilaginoidea virens(Cke.)Tak. The causal agent of false smut disease of rice was
recorded on some paddy weed for the first time in Egypt .An extensive infection was
observed in the most common weed namely :8arnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-
gal/i(L.)8eauv and on knot grass (Paspalum distishum) out of 14 rice weeds. Severity
of false smut disease on rice varied in different locations in Northen Governorates and
on different rice cultivars .Symptoms were compared on paddy and weed. This study
diseuse the role of weeds distributing in rice plantations in providing a new source of
inoculum for rice infection.