Control of False Smut in Paddy
False smut is a common fungal disease that affects paddy crops. It is caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, which infects the rice panicles and replaces the grains with a greenish-black powdery spore mass. This disease can cause significant yield losses if not controlled properly. Here’s what you need to know about controlling false smut in paddy.
1. Practicing good field hygiene:
The first step in controlling false smut is to practice good field hygiene. This involves removing any rice straw, weeds, or debris from the field after harvest. This will help to reduce the amount of inoculum in the field and prevent the disease from spreading.
2. Use of resistant varieties:
Using resistant varieties is another effective way of controlling false smut. Resistant varieties are available in the market and can be identified by checking their reaction to the disease. Planting resistant varieties can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of false smut in paddy fields.
3. Seed treatment:
Seed treatment is another important method to control false smut. This involves treating the seeds with fungicides before planting. The fungicides used include carboxin, thiram, and metalaxyl. Seed treatment can reduce the incidence of the disease by up to 90%.
4. Fungicide sprays:
Fungicide sprays can also be used to control false smut. A combination of fungicides such as difenoconazole, azoxystrobin, and tebuconazole can be used to control the disease effectively. Fungicide sprays should be applied at the time of heading and booting to prevent the disease from spreading.
5. Crop rotation:
Crop rotation can also be used to control false smut. Rotating paddy with crops such as legumes, vegetables, or other cereal crops can help to reduce the inoculum in the soil. This can greatly reduce the incidence of false smut in paddy fields.
In conclusion, controlling false smut in paddy is crucial to maintain sustainable rice production. A combination of the above methods can be used to effectively control the disease and prevent yield losses.