False Smut Disease Hits Paddy Crop in Punjab

Cause and Emergence

• Trigger: Incessant rains and floods disrupted anti-fungal spraying schedules.
• Result: Outbreak of false smut (haldi rog) disease in paddy crops across Punjab.
• Stage Affected: Disease spread during maturing and harvesting stage of paddy.

Extent of Damage

• Yield Loss: Estimated 5–6% reduction, significant in terms of total production and cost.
• Grain Quality:
  • Causes chalkiness of grains, reducing grain weight.
  • Adversely impacts seed germination.

Favourable Conditions for Disease Spread

• Humidity: >90% relative humidity.
• Temperature: 20°C during prolonged rainfall; can also thrive in 25–35°C range.
• Soil: High nitrogen content in soil promotes infection.
• Weather: Rainfall and high humidity create optimal conditions.
• Transmission: Wind disperses fungal spores from plant to plant.

Expert Concerns

• Rapid spread during monsoon rains raises alarm for large-scale yield losses.
• Disease threatens both farmer incomes and state’s overall paddy production.

(Source: HT)