Long-term effect of niclosamide on inhibition of bacterial leaf blight in rice

Bacterial leaf blight is one of the major diseases in rice and affects yields. Thus, various methods have been applied to protect rice from this disease. Here, we show systemic translocation of the human drug niclosamide (5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide) in rice and its long-term effect on prevention of rice leaf blight. The development of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae-induced rice leaf blight was effectively inhibited in untreated systemic leaves as in niclosamide-treated leaves, although its effect gradually decreased in a time-dependent manner. Time-course examination after niclosamide treatment showed that the niclosamide level was highest after 3 h in non-treated distal leaves, suggesting fast systemic movement of niclosamide from the treated local site to untreated distal regions. Our data indicate that niclosamide controls rice leaf blight by its rapid systemic movement and that its effect is maintained for a long time.