For the past few days,30.07.2024 there have been complaints from various districts of Punjab about some dead plants in paddy. There can be many reasons for plant wilting. Scientists of Punjab Agriculture University are fully aware of this and are investigating it. Meanwhile, zinc deficiency has been observed in many places, which can be one of the reasons for blindness. Apart from this, plant wilting can also be caused by a new rice virus, which was first observed in India in 2022. This virus is transmitted by the rice white-backed locust and can attack all existing varieties of rice. Plants affected by this disease are stunted, their leaves are pointed and the roots are less deep. The height of affected plants is half or one-third that of normal plants. Due to more attack of the disease, sometimes the plants wither and dry up.
This year, this disease virus has been found in some of the samples of paddy from various districts of Punjab such as Ropar, Mohali, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib. P. S. Sandhu, Head, Plant Disease Department said that so far this disease has been seen only in a few farms. The disease spreads from diseased plants to healthy plants through the white-backed planthopper. It is necessary to be aware of the presence of this pest in the field so that it does not spread the disease further. He further said that there is a lack of zinc in many places and this element should be supplied there. Farmers can inform the nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kisan Adviser Seva Kendra or PAU about the possible disease with stunting. Diseased plants should be uprooted and buried deep in the field.
Dr. K. S. Suri, Principal Pest Vigiani, PAU informed that regular inspection of the paddy crop should be carried out for effective control of the pest (white back locust) that spreads this disease in the field. Keep a light bulb near the field at night to see the arrival of locusts. If the arrival of locusts is seen, any insecticide such as 94 ml. Paxalone 10 SC or 60 g Ulala 50 WG or 80 g Ocean/Token/Dominant 20 SG or 120 g Chess 50 WG or 400 ml Orchestra 10 SC or 300 ml. Dilute Imagine 10 SC in 100 liters of water per acre and spray at the roots of the plants. Use a back pump and round nozzle for effective control. *Insecticides should be sprayed only as needed.*
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