Changes in rice disease scenario in Haryana

Roving surveys conducted in paddy growing areas of Haryana during kharif 2013 to 2018 revealed that the incidence and severity of rice diseases varied considerably over the years depending upon the varietal spectrum and prevailing environmental conditions. Among fifteen diseases and two disorders reported to occur in the state, sheath blotch (Pyrenochaeta oryzae), bacterial leaf streak (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola), bacterial foot rot (Erwinia chrysanthemi) and chlorosis (iron deficiency) were not recorded during the survey period. Blast (Pyricularia grisea) and foot rot and bakanae (Fusarium moniliforme) appeared in low to moderate intensity particularly in tall and semi-dwarf scented varieties, while false smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) was more damaging in non-scented rice hybrids and high yielding varieties. Sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) was the most widespread and damaging disease irrespective of type of rice cultivars. Bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae), earlier considered to be a major disease was not recorded at the surveyed locations except at one location on Pusa Basmati 1 in Kaithal and Yamunanagar districts during 2018. Sheath rot (Sarocladium oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme), brown spot (Drechslera oryzae), grain discolouration (Drechslera oryzae, Pyricularia grisea, Curvularia lunata, Trichoconiella padwickii), narrow brown leaf spot (Cercospora oryzae), leaf smut (Entyloma oryzae) and kernel smut/bunt (Neovossia horrida) were observed as minor diseases, while stem rot (Sclerotium oryzae, S. hydrophillum, S. irregulare) and khaira (zinc deficiency) are gaining importance in the state. The incidence and severity of rice diseases recorded during 2013 to 2018 were also compared with their intensity during 1983 to 2012, reflecting the changes in rice diseases scenario over 35 years in Haryana.