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 offers a non-chemical alternative to traditional pesticides, aiding in disease management while minimising environmental harm.