False smut in rice:follow integrated management

摘要

False smut can affect both grain weight and seed germination. In Punjab, yield losses upto 17 per cent have been reported due to this disease. False smut is emerging as an important disease of rice in Punjab. Farmers commonly call it as haldi rog dueto 'orange balls' found on diseased panicle, when the grains begin to fill. This disease is caused by a fungus which transforms individual grains into greenish balls that have velvety appearance which later on turn orange and at last black or brown. Thisdisease was considered of 'minor' importance in the past, largely because of the irregularity in which it was observed. It was overshadowed by 'major' diseases that have the potential to cause significant economic losses. In recent years, false smut hasassumed significance. Visible symptoms of the disease may be seen in the field at hard dough to mature stages of the crop although the infection of fungus takes place much earlier at the onset of flowering phase. Intensive cultivation of high yielding rice varieties, receiving high inputs has helped to aggravate the intensity of false smut. In Punjab, yield losses upto 17 per cent have been reported due to this disease. False smut can reduce both grain weight and seed germination.