Why in News?
Recently, researchers from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) have identified a new fungal disease, Pyricularia Spp, that severely affected ginger crops.
- Pyricularia Spp – It is a fungal pathogen cause a blast disease, which is a new threat to ginger cultivation.
Pyricularia is well known for causing blast diseases in monocot plants like rice, wheat, and barley.
- Pyricularia has been 1st time reported in ginger crop in 2024 in parts of Kodagu district in Karnataka.
- Early-stage Infection – It appears as yellowing of the ginger plant leaves, accompanied by black or dark olive-green spots.
- Once the infection takes hold, it spreads rapidly and can cover the entire field within hours.
- Spread – Over large areas in 10 hours with some affected fields located up to 20 km apart.
- Reason for spread – It is largely driven by the specific climatic conditions that prevailed in Kodagu.
- The dew fall during August and September created favorable environment.
- Causes – It leading to severe crop loss and plant death.
- The rhizomes of the affected plants remain unaffected in the premature yellowing and drying of the leaves.
- The farmers of Kodagu have experienced losses up to 30% in rhizome weight.
- Preventive measures – Immediate fungicide application is advised to curb the rapid spread of the disease.
- Use of fungicides such as Propiconazole at 1 ml/L or a combination of Carbendazim and Mancozeb at a ratio of 2g/L.
- Propiconazoleor Tebuconazole 1ml/L can be sprayed 4 months after planting.
Reference
The Hindu| Pyricularia Spp Affecting Ginger Crop in Kodagu
