Coimbatore: Experts from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has suggested preventive methods to tackle the Rice False Smut, a fungal disease affecting Paddy. The rice false smut pathogen causes mostly qualitative damage to the rice crop.
Coimbatore: Experts from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has suggested preventive methods to tackle the Rice False Smut, a fungal disease affecting Paddy. The rice false smut pathogen causes mostly qualitative damage to the rice crop.
"As the disease is widely prevalent in delta districts, farmers in the Delta regions are in distress to safeguard their crops from infestation. Normally, few grains in a panicle are infected by this fungus and infected grains are converted into a velvety, yellow mass of fruiting bodies.
The smut ball appears small at first and grows gradually up to the size of 1cm. It is seen in between the hulls and encloses the floral parts. Then, the colour turns to greenish-black with a velvety appearance, when the grain matures. However, now the disease has become a major concern causing significant yield loss.
The flowering stage is the most susceptible stage for infection by the fungus. Presence of rain and high humidity during flowering stages predisposes the rice crop to infect by U. virens. Presence of high nitrogen in the soil and strong winds favour release and dissemination of the pathogen spores to neighbouring fields. Late planting is an important factor which favours the spread of this disease", a release from TNAU noted.
Preventive methods
Seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2gm/kg of seed.
Removal and destruction of infected grains in the early stages of the disease.
Split application of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Cultural methods
Early planting is recommended in endemic areas.
Field activity such as intercultural operations should not be carried out when the plants are wet.
Proper removal and disposal of smut balls prior to harvest helps to reduce the build-up of primary inoculum for the next season in the field.
Chemical methods
Two foliar sprays with propiconazole 25 EC @ 500 ml/ha or copper hydroxide 77 WP @ 1.25 kg/ha at boot leaf and 50% flowering stages is effective in managing this disease.
"As the disease is widely prevalent in delta districts, farmers in the Delta regions are in distress to safeguard their crops from infestation. Normally, few grains in a panicle are infected by this fungus and infected grains are converted into a velvety, yellow mass of fruiting bodies.
The smut ball appears small at first and grows gradually up to the size of 1cm. It is seen in between the hulls and encloses the floral parts. Then, the colour turns to greenish-black with a velvety appearance, when the grain matures. However, now the disease has become a major concern causing significant yield loss.
The flowering stage is the most susceptible stage for infection by the fungus. Presence of rain and high humidity during flowering stages predisposes the rice crop to infect by U. virens. Presence of high nitrogen in the soil and strong winds favour release and dissemination of the pathogen spores to neighbouring fields. Late planting is an important factor which favours the spread of this disease", a release from TNAU noted.
Preventive methods
Seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2gm/kg of seed.
Removal and destruction of infected grains in the early stages of the disease.
Split application of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Cultural methods
Early planting is recommended in endemic areas.
Field activity such as intercultural operations should not be carried out when the plants are wet.
Proper removal and disposal of smut balls prior to harvest helps to reduce the build-up of primary inoculum for the next season in the field.
Chemical methods
Two foliar sprays with propiconazole 25 EC @ 500 ml/ha or copper hydroxide 77 WP @ 1.25 kg/ha at boot leaf and 50% flowering stages is effective in managing this disease.