Sheath blight is one of the most destructive diseases of paddy crops across the world, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. It affects both seedlings and mature plants, causing significant yield losses and reduces the quality of paddy grain. The disease also affects the growth and development of the paddy plant by damaging the leaf sheaths, which results in lower photosynthetic efficiency and reduced plant vigour. Here are some essential control measures to manage sheath blight attack on paddy crops.
Crop Management
Farmers can implement some crop management techniques to reduce the incidence of sheath blight disease. Proper fertilisation, irrigation and drainage management, and integrated management of other diseases are some of the essential components of crop management. One of the most effective methods of minimising sheath blight disease is to avoid waterlogged conditions in the paddy fields, which create favourable conditions for the fungal growth and spread.
Resistant Varieties
Planting resistant varieties can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of sheath blight disease. Crop scientists have developed several paddy varieties that are resistant to sheath blight disease, and these varieties can be highly beneficial to farmers. Some of the resistant varieties include IR50, IR62, IR74, IR65, and Pusa Basmati 1. Using seeds treated with fungicides or applying biocontrol agents could also help in reducing the severity of sheath blight in susceptible varieties.
Chemical Control
The use of fungicides is an effective way to prevent and manage sheath blight disease on paddy crops. Farmers can apply fungicides such as carbendazim, triadimefon, and propiconazole during the tillering stage of the paddy crop. The use of fungicides can also reduce the severity of the disease when it has already infected the crop. However, care must be taken while using fungicides so that they don’t become breeding grounds for other pests and diseases resulting in reduced efficiency over the long term.
Cultural Control
Cultural control methods can also help in reducing the severity of sheath blight disease. Planting crops with adequate spacing can improve air circulation, which discourages the growth and spread of fungal spores. Farmers should also ensure good field hygiene by removing any plant residue and infected sheaths to prevent the spread of the disease to nearby crops. Using clean and certified seeds, soil solarization and crop rotation techniques are other cultural control measures that can help reduce the incidence of sheath blight in paddy crops.
To conclude, sheath blight disease is a severe problem that impacts paddy crops. However, farmers can implement multiple control methods to manage and prevent the spread of the disease. The use of resistant varieties, cultural practices, and judicious use of fungicides can work together to keep sheath blight at bay and ensure higher crop yields.