Fungal flora associated with rice grain discoloration in Punjab and it’s management
Loading...
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Paddy discoloration causes serious losses in terms of quality and quantity leading to procurement problems. Paddy samples were collected from different districts of Punjab during the Kharif 2013 and 2014. Analysis of paddy samples collected during the year 2013 and 2014 revealed that incidence and severity of discoloration was higher in 2013 as compared to 2014. The rice and basmati rice cultivars were found to be affected by discoloration to varying extent. Fungi namely, Drechslera oryzae, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium moniliforme, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium spp., Nigrospora spp. and Rhizophus spp. were identified to be associated with the diseased samples. Among these fungi, Fusarium moniliforme, Drechslera oryzae, Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata were the most predominant. The discoloration affected the grain weight, seed germination, total seedling length and seedling vigour. Milk and dough stages of rice were found to be critical on which simulated rain caused higher discoloration. Recently released rice varieties like PR 124, PR 123 and Punjab Basmati 3 were found to be highly susceptible under artificial inoculation conditions. Under in vitro conditions propiconazole and tebuconazole provided maximum inhibition of growth of all the fungi. Carbendazim was effective only against Fusarium moniliforme and ineffective against rest of the fungi. In field evaluation of fungicides, the spray schedule comprising of propiconazole – propiconazole – tebuconazole given at boot stage followed by 15 days after boot stage and at soft dough stage was found to be highly effective in checking the grain discoloration.
Description
Keywords
Rice, grain discoloration, cultivars, myflora, simulated rain, fungicides