Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has issued a advisory for rice farmers across the state, urging them to remain vigilant against symptoms of rice dwarfing during the ongoing 2025 kharif season. The disease, linked to the Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV), poses a serious threat to rice production. It had previously caused extensive damage in districts like Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and others during the 2022 season.
SRBSDV stunts the growth of rice plants, making their leaves narrow and upright while severely reducing plant height, sometimes to just one-third of their normal size. In extreme cases, affected plants can wither and die, resulting in heavy yield losses. PAU is calling for early detection and immediate reporting of symptoms to nearby Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) or PAU experts to minimize damage.
So far, no infections have been reported this season in surveyed nurseries, according to Dr. P.S. Sandhu, Head of Plant Pathology at PAU. However, experts emphasize that ongoing surveillance remains essential.
The primary carrier of SRBSDV is the whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), a common pest in Punjab’s rice-wheat farming system. Dr. K.S. Suri, Principal Entomologist at PAU, recommends farmers inspect their fields weekly using a simple method, gently tapping rice plants to dislodge any WBPH, which then float on the water surface. If WBPH is detected, farmers should act swiftly using PAU-recommended insecticides, applied specifically at the plant base for best results. He also warned against overuse of pesticides, which can cause resistance, environmental harm, and impact biodiversity.
Dr. M.S. Bhullar, Director of Extension Education at PAU, highlighted that zinc deficiency may cause similar symptoms to SRBSDV, potentially leading to confusion. He urged farmers to seek expert advice for accurate diagnosis and nutrient management.
Dr. A.S. Dhatt, PAU’s Director of Research, reassured the farming community that the university is fully prepared to track the virus in rice crops, weeds, and alternate hosts. He encouraged farmers to follow regular advisories and bulletins for updated management strategies.
