4 days ago
PAU survey finds paddy dwarfing virus in five Punjab districts, advisory issued
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) said a paddy dwarfing disease caused by a virus has surfaced in five districts in the state, which has been a growing concern among farmers.
The virus has been identified as Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV), said PAU.
The university said the teams conducted the surveys across 20 districts in July and August, and found the disease in sub-mountainous areas. The districts mainly affected by the disease include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala, it said.
PAU detailed the symptoms and said The disease is marked by stunting, reduced tillering, poor root growth, narrow upright leaves and shortened internodes. It spreads through the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), an insect vector favoured by specific weather conditions.
Field observations showed that transplanting before June 20 increased infection risks, exposing the crop longer to WBPH. Fields transplanted after June 25 largely escaped early infection, showing little to no symptoms during the survey.
To contain the spread, PAU has issued insect-vector management guidelines. Farmers are advised to monitor WBPH populations closely and use only the recommended insecticides: Pexalon 10 SC (triflumezopyrim) at 94 ml per acre, Ulala 50 WG (flonicamid) at 60g per acre, Osheen/Dominant/Token 20 SG (dinotefuran) at 80g per acre, Imagine/Viola 10 SC (flupyrimin) at 300 ml per acre, Orchestra 10 SC (benzpyrimoxan) at 400 ml per acre and Chess 50 WG (pymetrozine) at 120g per acre, all in 100 litres of water.
Leading the on-ground assessment, PAUs Vice Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal visited affected villages in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib with senior scientists and extension specialists. The team urged farmers to remain vigilant for WBPH activity and disease symptoms, and to follow timely advisories from PAU's Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farm Advisory Service Centres (FASCs).
According to PAU, experts say this year's outbreak mirrors the climate pattern of 2022 when the last major flare-up occurred.
