Pyricularia Spp Infection

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 1^st 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