Foot rot disease

About Foot Rot Disease:

• It is a fungal disease that affects Basmati rice crops particularly at the seedling stage.
• It might also cause infection after transplantation in case infected seedlings are transplanted.
• It is caused by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, a soil-seed borne pathogen which spreads the infection through the root of the plant, and eventually leads to the colonisation of the stem base,
• Infected seedlings first turn pale yellow, then elongate and dry up, and eventually (usually) die.
• Currently, seedlings are treated with Trichoderma harzianum before sowing and transplantation.
• Seeds are also treated with fungicides such as Sprint 75 WS (carbendazim + mancozeb) before sowing. But these are the chemical treatments which are harmful for the soil, and can be toxic for consumers of the rice.

The fungicide carbendazim is already banned in Punjab because it leaves behind high residues.

What is Trichoderma asperellum?

It is a biocontrol agent that offers a non-chemical alternative to traditional pesticides, aiding in disease management while minimising environmental harm.

Q1: What are fungi?

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms; i.e., their cells contain membrane-bound organelles and clearly defined nuclei.

Source: A new biocontrol agent to manage ‘foot rot’ disease in Basmati crop: Why this matters