Field experiments conducted during Kharif 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1995-96 to study the effect of date of sowing on the incidence of blast revealed that the leaf blast incidence was significantly more in susceptible variety when compared to resistant variety in all dates of sowing. Date of sowing did not have any significant role on blast incidence in resistant variety and leaf blast incidence can be reduced by delaying the sowing in susceptible variety. Similarly neck biast incidence was also more in the susceptible variety in the earlier sown crop. Results indicated that delayed sowing can reduce leaf and neck blast incidence in susceptible variety and the use of resistant varieties to manage blast under direct seeded condition in Karnataka.