Dwarf virus hits paddy crop on 400 acres in Ambala villages

The spread of Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus has made paddy farmers in the district anxious.

As per the Agriculture Department, the spread of the disease has been reported in nearly 400 acres especially in the Saha, Naraingarh and Mullana areas of the district. As per the paddy farmers, the hybrid, Permal varieties and early sown crops have shown signs of dwarf virus.

As per agricultural experts, the virus is transmitted by white-backed plant hoppers. Plant growth is stunted by the virus, resulting in poor nutrition intake and poor development, which leads to yield loss. The Agriculture Department has issued an advisory to farmers to uproot and bury the affected plants, ensure proper drainage in the fields and regular monitoring. The farmers are also advised to use the recommended insecticides to control the spread.

Former Sarpanch of Hamidpur village and paddy farmer Jasbir Singh informed that he has grown paddy on nearly 54 acres. Of that, crop on 14 acres has been affected by dwarf virus. The affect is visible on the early sown varieties. Even in 2022, the disease had badly affected the paddy crop.

White-backed plant hoppers are visible in the fields and teams of experts from the Rice Research Station Kaul, Indian Institute of Rice Research Hyderabad, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Tepla have visited the fields and taken the samples of plant hopper and the affected plants for testing.

The farmer said the scientists have recommended some insecticides to control the spread of the disease. However, it will put a financial burden of around Rs 2,000 per acre on the farmers.

As per the information available, the teams have visited agricultural fields in various villages, including Hamidpur, Nohni and Brahmin Majra, and took samples for testing.

Parmjit Singh, a paddy farmer from Garnala village, said, “I have sown paddy on 18 acres and there are symptoms of dwarfism in the crop. The Agriculture Department has issued advisory but there is not much effect of the insecticide. The department has also advised to uproot the affected plants, but it is not feasible. We have adopted the wait and watch policy.”

Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) Ambala Dr Jasvinder Saini said the Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus poses a serious threat to crop productivity. If not controlled timely, the disease can affect the yield of the crop by 80-90 per cent. Following the reports, the experts and agricultural scientists have visited the fields. There is preliminary report of the signs of the virus on nearly 400 acres, majorly in the areas of Mullana, Saha and Naraingarh. The farmers are advised to keep a close watch, approach the department if the signs of virus and white-backed plant hoppers are witnessed and use the recommended insecticides.

Haryana Tribune