A section of jhum paddy field affected by blast disease in Naginimora subdivision. Inset: Symptoms of blast disease in a rice plant leaf. (Photo Courtesy: Department of Agriculture)
At least 1,034 farming households affected
Mon, July 26 (MExN): About 60 percent of jhum areas in the Naginimora subdivision have been affected by Blast Disease Of Rice—a fungal disease caused by the Pyricularia oryzae fungus, according to reports from the Department of Agriculture.
In a press release on Monday, the Department cited a report submitted by the Naginimora SDAO’s office and informed that the disease was first reported during July 8 to 15. “Immediately after receiving the report, the Office of the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Naginimora conducted an extensive survey and spot verification of infected jhum fields from July 10 to 17. During this period, it was found that the jhum fields were infested with a fungal disease known as Blast Disease of Rice caused by Pyricularia oryzae. The paddy crops were in late tillering to panicle initiation stage,” the release stated.
It said that a total of 955.5 hectares of jhum area in nine villages— Shiyong, Chingphoi, Chingdang, Tanhai,Wakching,Wakching Chingla, Lampong Wakching and Wanching, all located in Naginimora subdivision of Mon district, were affected by the disease.
The infestation rate is 80-90 percent and about 1,034 farming households were affected by the disease outbreak, the release stated.
According to the department, Blast Disease of Rice is one of the most destructive diseases of rice which can cause an average grain loss of about 70-80 percent. The disease attacks the leaves, nodes collars and panicles of a rice plant and is primarily spread through infected seeds, rice stubbles, wind and water. It also said that paddy grown in upland and higher elevation having water scarcity are prone to the disease while adding that the drought like situation from January to May have resulted in poor germination, low tillering and unhealthy growth making the paddy vulnerable to disease attacks.
Use of healthy and disease free seeds, proper disposal of rice stubbles after harvest, seeds treatment, spraying of fungicides, etc., are some of the important management practices of Blast Disease of Rice, it added.
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