The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has stated that the disease-causing ‘dwarfing’ in rice plants across Haryana and Punjab is due to the Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV). It belongs to the genus Fijivirus.
Key points
- SRBSDV is a virus with ten double-stranded RNA segments. It is transmitted by a white-backed plant hopper (WBPH).
- Apart from rice, it can also be found in several weed species. IARI conducted surveys in 24 fields across Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Yamunanagar, according to a report by Indian Express (IE).
- The survey showed that the damage in the field ranged from 2 to 20 per cent. The highest damage was recorded in the fields of Panipat, with 20 per cent of the plants damaged by the virus.
- The main symptoms of a plant suffering from the rice dwarf disease are stunting and the appearance of white chlorotic specks on its foliage.
- The height of the plant is restricted to 1/2 – 1/3rd as compared to normal plants.
