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Dimapur, July 26 (EMN): Department of Agriculture has informed that blast disease of rice, a fungal disease, has been reported under Naginimora sub-division in Mon district.
An update from the department informed that a report submitted by the SDAO office, Naginimora stated that the disease was first reported during July 8 to the 15th.
It said that 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 the 17th.
“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,” it read.
It informed that nine villages were severely affected by the disease namely Shiyong, Chingphoi, Chingdang, Tanhai,Wakching,Wakching Chingla, Lampong Wakching and Wanching.
A total of 955.5 hectares of jhum area, which constitute about 60% of the total jhum area in the sub-division were affected by the disease. The infestation rate is 80-90% . About 1034 farming households were affected by the disease outbreak, it said.
It reported that blast disease of rice was one of the most destructive diseases of rice which can cause an average grain loss of about 70-80%. The disease attacks the leaves, nodes, collars and panicles of a rice plant. The disease is primarily spread through infected seeds, rice stubbles, wind and water; and also in paddy grown in upland and higher elevation having water scarcity is prone to the disease.
“The drought like situation from January to May have resulted in poor germination, low tillering and unhealthy growth making the paddy very prone to disease attack.
“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.