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Date: 19 September 2008
Source: Kashmir Observer [edited]
<http://www.kashmirobserver.com/index.php?id=1215:paddy-blast-hits-kashmir-paddy-crop-&option=com_content&catid=54:business&Itemid=75>


'Paddy blast' hits Kashmir paddy crop

As the reaping season of paddy is reaching its zenith farmers in many parts of the valley are worried. They say that the crop has been hit by a disease known as paddy blast. Officials of the agriculture department say that the fungal disease is seen in parts of Kulgam, Pulwama, and Kupwara. Officials say that the disease has affected the overall produce. "The production of rice is expected to be low as compared to previous years," Showkat Beigh, technical officer to the director of agriculture said. "Crops on more than 1000 hectares (2471 acres) of land are infected and the production loss is expected to be about 10 percent," Beigh said. "The blast fungus needs high temperature and moisture to propagate and this summer [2008] climate remained favorable for its growth," a senior official of the agriculture department said.

Agricultural scientists at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST) have carried out a field survey of the affected areas and have established the reasons as climatic as well as negligence of farmers. Director of SKUAST Dr A R Trag blamed farmers for the loss they are suffering due to the blast fungus.
"Only 10 percent of farmers go by our recommendations and use seeds provided by our University," Dr Trag said.

Scientists at SKUAST employ various scientific methods to improve disease resistance and net yield of rice varieties in order to stop the recurrence of this disease. "We treat seeds in laboratories and make them available to farmers. Besides we advise farmers to use certain sprays after consultation with experts," Dr Trag stressed.

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[Rice blast is caused by the fungus _Magnaporthe grisea_. It is one of the most destructive diseases of rice worldwide, often killing the host. Yield losses of more than 50 percent are reported in infected fields. Symptom severity and spread of the blast fungus are influenced by climatic conditions. More than 50 species of grasses and sedges can be affected, but most strains isolated from rice can only infect a limited number of cultivars. The disease is spread by infected plant debris, mechanical means, water, and wind. Disease management may include fungicides and cultural practices, but relies mainly on resistant varieties. The fungus is highly variable, however, and new strains are emerging, breaking down host resistance.

For more information see links and previous posts below.

Maps
India:
<http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/images/IndiaMap_tourism.gif>
and
<http://healthmap.org/promed?v=22.9,79.6,5>
Jammu and Kashmir districts:
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/jammuandkashmir/jammuandkashmir-district.htm>

Pictures of rice blast symptoms:
<http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/rbpred/leaf_blast.jpg>  and <http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/rbpred/lesion.jpg>

Links
Rice blast fact sheet (with pictures):
<http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/ricedoctor/default.htm#Fact_Sheets/Diseases/Rice_Blast.htm>
Information on rice blast:
<http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/rbpred/home.html> and <http://ascus.plbr.cornell.edu/blastdb/about.html>
_M. grisea_ taxonomy:
<http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/SynSpecies.asp?RecordID=317113>.  - Mod.DHA]