FOOT ROT DISEASE -
AGRICULTURE
News: A new biocontrol agent to
manage ‘foot rot’ disease in Basmati crop: Why this matters
What's in the news?
●
Ludhiana's Punjab Agricultural University has
introduced Trichoderma asperellum, a biocontrol agent, to address foot rot
disease in Basmati rice varieties.
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It has been registered with the Central
Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC).
Foot Rot Disease:
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Foot Rot Disease is a fungal infection predominantly affecting Basmati rice crops, particularly during the seedling stage and
post-transplantation if infected seedlings are used.
Causal Organism:
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The disease is caused by the soil-seed borne
pathogen Fusarium verticillioides, which spreads through the plant's
roots, eventually colonizing the stem base.
Symptoms:
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Infected seedlings exhibit symptoms such as pale yellowing, elongation, drying up,
and eventual death.
Management:
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Current management practices involve treating
seedlings with Trichoderma harzianum before sowing and transplantation, along
with seed treatment using fungicides like Sprint
75 WS (carbendazim + mancozeb).
○
However, these chemical treatments pose risks to
soil health and can be harmful to consumers due to residues.
● Trichoderma asperellum is a biocontrol agent providing a non-chemical alternative for disease management, minimizing environmental impacts.