PAU recommends biocontrol agent to combat foot rot in rice

In a major breakthrough for sustainable agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has introduced a scientifically validated solution to tackle foot rot disease in basmati rice, a crop vital to Punjab’s economy and India’s export market.

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The disease is caused by a fungus, Fusarium moniliforme, and has been reported to cause significant yield losses, especially in popular varieties like Pusa Basmati 1121 and 1509. High incidence has been observed in districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala and Tarn Taran.

To address this, Dr Daljeet Singh Buttar, Principal Plant Pathologist at the PAU, recommended the use of Trichoderma asperellum 2 per cent WP, a bio-control agent recently approved by the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC). The formulation, developed by the PAU and now being supplied by IPL, Gurugram, offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides.

Dr Buttar emphasised, “Bakane disease, also known as foot rot of rice, is an alarming fungal infection caused by Gibberella fujikuroi with serious implications for both agriculture and public health. While its most visible consequence include reduced crop productivity, the disease also contaminates rice grains with mycotoxins—posing risks to human and animal consumers”

With 6.8 lakh hectares under Basmati cultivation in Punjab and a production of 33.32 lakh tonnes in 2024, the adoption of this bio-control strategy could significantly improve crop health and export quality.

Fungal infections in crops can lead to severe yield loss due to increased plant mortality and reduced grain quality. A major concern is the contamination of grains with mycotoxins, which poses serious health risks to both humans and animals. Additionally, the fungus can persist in infected seeds, emphasising the importance of effective seed treatment to break the cycle of infection.

To combat the fungus, it is recommended to treat seeds with talc-based Trichoderma asperellum 2 per cent WP at 15 g/kg before sowing. For seedlings, dipping roots in a solution of 15 g/litre of water for six hours before transplanting is advised. Maintaining field hygiene is also essential—infected seedlings should be removed and burned, whether in the nursery or field, to prevent the spread of disease.