Neck blast disease is one of the most destructive fungal diseases and can cause significant damage to paddy crops, leading to substantial economic losses. This disease is caused by a fungus named Magnaporthe grisea, which infects the plant’s stem just above the neck and rapidly spreads to the panicles, causing withering and shrivelling.
To control the attack of neck blast disease on paddy (jhona) crop, several control measures can be taken. These include preventive and curative measures aimed at reducing the spread and impact of this disease.
Preventive measures include the following:
1. Crop rotation: Crop rotation helps to reduce the fungal inoculum and limit the disease’s spread. It is advisable to rotate with non-rice crops, such as maize or legumes, which are less susceptible to neck blast disease.
2. Seed treatment: Treating seeds with fungicides can help prevent the onset of neck blast disease. Before sowing, seeds should be treated with a recommended fungicide, and any infected seeds should be discarded.
3. Proper drainage: Proper water management can help prevent the buildup of moisture, which can promote the spread of the fungal disease. Implementing good drainage practices helps to reduce the disease’s spread through the paddies.
Curative measures include the following:
1. Chemical fungicides: Use of chemical fungicides can help limit the damage caused by neck blast disease. Fungicides should be applied as soon as symptoms of the disease appear, and farmers should follow recommended guidelines for fungicide application.
2. Crop sanitation: Sanitation practices like removing infected plants and plant debris immediately can help to reduce the disease’s spread. Such materials should be disposed of to prevent further contamination.
3. Genetic control: Adopting resistant rice varieties is an effective strategy to tackle neck blast disease. Farmers should choose rice varieties that are resistant to the disease and plant them in paddies.
In conclusion, neck blast disease can cause significant harm to paddy crops, resulting in severe economic losses. Taking precautionary and curative measures is crucial to minimize these losses. With these control measures in place, farmers can safeguard their paddies against the disease and enjoy a bountiful harvest.