March 1, 2024
Threat of yellow rust affecting India's wheat rises with favourable conditions
Conditions are favourable for the spread of yellow rust in India, according to experts.
This fungal disease turns crop leaves yellowish, stops photosynthesis and causes a drop in yield. Krishi Vigyan Kendra Patiala director Dr. Gurupdesh Kaur said with the absence of regular monitoring, the disease could spread across the region.
A survey tour was recently conducted by scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rupnagar, for tracing the incidence of yellow rust on wheat crop. The disease was spotted in four fields of two villages — Nikku Nangal and Dhukli in Sri Anandpur Sahib — affecting the HD2967, HD3086 and DBW222 varieties of wheat. Minor incidences of the fungal spread were also observed in nearby fields.
Farmers of infected fields were advised to immediately spray their fields with fungicides at recommended dose to curb spread of the disease.
Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), advised farmers not to neglect their fields.
"One member of the family should be assigned the task of visiting the field each day and monitor the crop to check whether the yellow stripes have appeared on the crop," Gosal said.
- The Tribune