Archive · 21 Sep 2025
Punjab Farmers Battle Crop Diseases Amidst Flood Recovery
Farmers in Punjab are facing crop diseases as their rice crops mature.
Two main problems are haldi rog, a fungal disease that turns rice grains yellow, and a dwarf virus that stunts the rice plants.
The dwarf virus is spread by insects.
These issues have been affecting the crops in the districts.
Experts advise farmers not to panic about the haldi rog as it won't spread.
They suggest that sprays for false smut are only useful at the early stages of the plant development.
For the virus, infected plants must be removed.
Regular field monitoring and balanced fertilizer use is recommended.
Punjab's paddy farmers face challenges from haldi rog (false smut) and the dwarf virus.
SRBSDV has affected approximately 11,000 acres, mainly in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.
Haldi rog causes yellowing of grains, but crop losses are minimal.
Preventive sprays for false smut are only effective at the early stage.
The dwarf virus, spread by whitebacked planthoppers, can cause major yield losses.
- Who
- Paddy farmers in Punjab
- What
- Are dealing with haldi rog (false smut) and southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) affecting their crops.
- When
- The diseases were reported as the paddy crop entered its final ripening stage.
- Where
- Punjab, particularly Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.
- Why
- Flood conditions created favorable conditions for diseases
- Affected Crops
- Paddy
- Diseases
- Haldi Rog (false smut) and SRBSDV (dwarf virus)
- SRBSDV Affected Acres
- Approx. 11,000
- SRBSDV Major Areas
- Patiala (7,000 acres), Fatehgarh Sahib (3,500 acres)
- False Smut Crop Loss
- Negligible (around 0.001%)
- SRBSDV vector
- Whitebacked planthopper
- SRBSDV first reported in Punjab
- 2022