False Smut Disease in Paddy Crops

Current Context: Reports from Punjab indicate widespread damage to paddy crops at the maturing and harvest stage due to False Smut Disease, threatening yield and quality.

ABOUT False Smut Disease

• Scientific Name: Caused by fungus Ustilaginoidea virens
• Other Names: Haldi Rog, Lakshmi Disease, Oothupathi Disease
• Symptoms:
  • Black fungal growth on grains covered with yellow fungal mass
  • Infected grains become orange → yellowish green → greenish black
  • Leads to chalky grains, weight loss, and poor germination
• Spread:
  • Infects during flowering stage; visible after panicle emergence
  • Usually affects only a few grains per panicle
• Favourable Conditions:
  • Warm, humid weather (25–30°C, humidity >80%)
  • Infected debris left in fields
  • Excessive nitrogen in soil
• Control: Fungicide sprays are feasible, but excessive use risks resistance and environmental harm