A survey was carried out in 2000 to screen the fungal species present on rice plants throughout the season. Four locations in Italy (Castello d'Agogna, Mortara, Giussago, S. Pietro Mosezzo) and four rice cultivars (Ariete, Balilla, Lido, Thaibonnet) were considered. Plants were sampled monthly, grouped into leaves, stems, roots and panicles and plated on agar-water. Some 113 taxa were identified. Among the rice pathogens, Bipolaris oryzae [Cochliobolus miyabeanus], Gaeumannomyces graminis, Gibberella fujikuroi, Pyricularia grisea [Magnaporthe grisea] and Sclerotium oryzae [M. salvinii], were found. Interesting species such as Echinopodospora sacchari and Stachybotrys bisbyi were also observed. Many species showed specificity to period of the season, part of the plant, cultivar and location.