As one of the most important pulse crops in India, green gram (moong) is a valuable source of nutrition for millions of people. However, it is susceptible to a number of diseases that can severely impact yield and quality. Among these, yellow mosaic disease is one of the most common and damaging. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and control measures for yellow mosaic disease in green gram.
Yellow mosaic disease is caused by a virus, transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), which is a vector for several other viruses that affect crops around the world. The virus infects the plant’s vascular tissue, causing the leaves to develop a distinctive yellow mosaic pattern. The severity of the symptoms varies with the age of the plant at the time of infection, and the level of resistance of the variety being grown.
The symptoms of yellow mosaic disease in green gram include yellowing and curling of leaves, stunted growth, reduced number of leaves, and decreased yield. The infected plants may also produce smaller and misshapen pods, resulting in reduced overall quality.
To control yellow mosaic disease in green gram, it is important to take a multi-pronged approach. The following measures can be adopted to mitigate the effects of the disease:
1. Use certified disease-free seeds that are resistant to yellow mosaic virus.
2. Monitor the crop for whitefly activity and use sticky traps or yellow-colored sticky cards to attract and capture them. This can help reduce the spread of the virus.
3. Implement cultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and proper weed management to reduce the incidence of the disease.
4. Apply chemical pesticides that are effective against whiteflies and other vectors of the virus.
5. Use botanical extracts such as neem oil or garlic extracts as an alternative to synthetic pesticides.
6. Use biocontrol agents like Trichogramma wasps, which are natural predators of the whitefly, to control the population of whiteflies.
In conclusion, yellow mosaic disease is a significant threat to green gram crops, but it can be controlled by adopting a combination of preventive and curative measures. Farmers who adopt best practices in disease management, including the use of certified seeds, cultural practices, biocontrol agents, and judicious use of chemical pesticides, can significantly reduce the impact of yellow mosaic disease and ensure a better quality and yield of green gram crops.