Rice Crop Pest & Disease Advisory 2025: Expert Tips by Agriculture Department

Rising temperatures, high humidity, and intermittent rainfall have created favourable conditions for pests and diseases in paddy crops across the district. To protect standing crops, the Agriculture Department has issued a detailed advisory for farmers. The major threats observed are Blast Disease, Bacterial Leaf Blight, and Brown Planthopper (BPH) infestations.

Blast Disease:

• Cause: Caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae.
• Symptoms: Yellow-brown oval spots on leaves that later take on an eye-shaped appearance. In severe cases, grains turn black due to “neck blast.”

Management:

• Use balanced doses of nitrogen and potash fertilizers.
• Spray 120–150 g of Tricyclazole 75% WP in 150 liters of water per acre.
• If needed, repeat with Kasugamycin 3% SL or other approved fungicides after 10–15 days.

Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB):

• Cause: Caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae.
• Symptoms: Yellow-brown streaks appear along leaf margins, which later shrink, wither, and turn pale brown to white. Early mornings may show yellow bacterial ooze droplets on leaves.

Management:

• Maintain proper water levels and avoid waterlogging.
• Do not apply urea during disease outbreak, as it accelerates spread.
• Spray a mixture of 500 g Copper Oxychloride 50% WP + 15–20 g Streptocycline in 200 liters of water per acre.
• Repeat application after 10–15 days if required.

Brown Planthopper (BPH):

Symptoms:

• Insects congregate at the base of plants.
• Leaves turn yellow, dry from the edges, and patches of crop begin to wither.

Management:

• Practice alternate wetting and drying in fields to prevent pest build-up.
• Spray 150–200 liters of water per acre to ensure pesticide reaches plant bases.
• Use approved insecticides such as Pymetrozine 50% WG (300 g/ha), Dinotefuran 70% WG (85 g/ha), Thiamethoxam 25% WG (100–120 g/ha), or other recommended formulations.