This year, the Punjab government had allowed paddy transplantation before 15 June. The disease in paddy is also being linked to this decision. ICAR has formed five teams of scientists to find out the impact and spread of the disease.
A viral outbreak in paddy crops has heightened concerns for farmers in India’s key rice-producing states, Punjab and Haryana. The Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV), also known as the Fiji virus, is spreading across several districts, leading to stunted plant growth and significant crop damage. The virus is transmitted by the whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), a small insect that infests paddy fields.
Infected plants show reduced height, dark green leaves, and stunted tiller development. Roots turn black and become weak, making the plants easy to uproot. As a result, the crop fails to absorb sufficient nutrients, which affects productivity.
Farmers Report Losses in Haryana and Punjab
According to the Rice Research Station in Kaul (Kaithal), farmers have reported cases of dwarfism in paddy crops from Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, and Kaithal. Ashok Dhanoda, a farmer from Kaithal, told Rural Voice that due to the dwarf virus, many farmers are being forced to plough their standing crops and re-sow the fields, leading to heavy financial losses. He added that a similar outbreak had occurred in 2022. The symptoms typically become visible around one month after sowing.
Early-Planted Paddy at Higher Risk
Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, former Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, told Rural Voice that several farmers have reported the presence of the Fiji virus in multiple districts. In Punjab, the virus has been observed in Faridkot, Patiala, Mansa, Barnala, Ludhiana, Ropar, Moga, Sangrur, and Pathankot. In Haryana, affected areas include Pehowa, Kurukshetra, and surrounding regions.
The virus is more prevalent in fields where transplantation took place in early June or before. This year, the Punjab government permitted paddy transplantation before June 15, a move experts believe may have contributed to the spread of the virus. Sources told Rural Voice that Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formed five teams to survey the ground-level situation and assess the spread of the disease.
Varieties Most Affected
Dr. Singh stated that the Fiji virus is mainly affecting non-basmati varieties like PR 131, PR 126, and Pusa 44. But in some cases, early-sown basmati varieties have also shown symptoms.
He said that if only 5 percent of the crop is infected, the damage may not be severe, and re-sowing is not required. However, if the damage is extensive, farmers can opt for direct seeding of Pusa Basmati 1847 in wet fields. Seed of this variety is available at the Pusa Institute in New Delhi.
Control Measures Farmers Can Take
Dr. Singh recommended that farmers closely monitor their fields. On spotting dwarf plants, vector insects, or early symptoms, the following pesticides can be used:
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Dinotefuran 20% SG (Osheen or Token) – 80 grams per acre
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Pymetrozine 50% WG (Chess) – 120 grams per acre
These should be mixed in 200 litres of water and sprayed over the field. If hopper populations remain high, repeat the spraying one or two more times.
Additional Precautions
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Identify and uproot infected plants, then bury them in deep pits or burn them to prevent further spread.
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Keep field bunds and drainage channels clean. Remove weeds and unnecessary plants that may act as alternate hosts for the insect vectors.
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Avoid waterlogging by ensuring proper drainage to keep the crop healthy and reduce virus impact.
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Use light traps in the fields to control the population of whitebacked planthoppers, as they are drawn to light and can be eliminated effectively.
Timely monitoring and preventive actions can help minimize damage and prevent the virus from spreading further across the region.