Abstract
As a part of the fundamental researches on the use of a laser beam for physical control of weed, pest and disease, the effect of using a laser beam on the rice plant was studied. The laser beam of 532nm at 342×4 GW m-2 was applied to the surface of leaf blade. The damage of leaf blade caused by the laser beam was restricted to the area basked in the laser beam, and the symptom was stabilized within two to five days without further damade. The damage was severer on the lower leaves than higher leaves on the main culm, and at the heading stage than at the panicle differentiation stage. Thus, the effect of laser beam was mild in younger leaves, and there was no varietal difference.
