Forecasting paddy bunt disease of rice in Punjab - an agrometeorological approach.

摘要

The correlation between meteorological elements and Kernel smut (Tilletia barclayana) of rice has been obtained based on the data for 14 years (1991-2004). The relationship of meteorological parameters with paddy bunt severity was studied from 27th to 35th standard meteorological week as this period corresponds to the panicle emergence stage and subsequent growth stages conducive for disease development. The important meteorological elements were identified for two different stations i.e.Ludhiana and Bathinda representing two distinct agroclimatic regions in Punjab. The meteorological parameters showing high coefficient of correlation were included in multiregression model developed for forecasting this disease. The detailed analysis of historical data shows that for Ludhiana station, the maximum temperature and sunshine hours for 33rd standard meteorological week were positively related while rainfall and no. of rainy days are negatively related for the same period with the disease intensity. Similar trend has been observed for Bathinda station located in the western region of the state. However, in Bathinda district the disease occurrence showed high relationship with the meteorological parameters for 31st week, which may be justified because of early sowing and early anthesis of the crop.