Paddy dwarfing disease caused by Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV) has surfaced in Punjab, with confirmed cases in multiple districts and growing concern among farmers. Surveys by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) across 20 districts in July and August 2025 found the disease in sub-mountainous areas including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala.
The disease is marked by stunting, reduced tillering, poor root growth, narrow upright leaves and shortened internodes. It spreads through the whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), an insect vector favoured by specific weather conditions. Experts say this year’s outbreak mirrors the climate pattern of 2022, when the last major flare-up occurred.
Field observations showed that transplanting before June 20 increased infection risk, exposing the crop longer to WBPH migrating from grassy hosts. Fields transplanted after June 25 largely escaped early infection, showing little to no symptoms during the survey.
To contain the spread, PAU has issued insect-vector management guidelines. Farmers are advised to monitor WBPH populations closely and use only the recommended insecticides: Pexalon 10 SC (triflumezopyrim) at 94 ml per acre, Ulala 50 WG (flonicamid) at 60 g per acre, Osheen/Dominant/Token 20 SG (dinotefuran) at 80 g per acre, Imagine/Viola 10 SC (fluprimin) at 300 ml per acre, Orchestra 10 SC (benzpyrimoxan) at 400 ml per acre and Chess 50 WG (pymetrozine) at 120 g per acre, all in 100 litres of water.
Leading the on-ground assessment, PAU’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal visited affected villages in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib with senior scientists and extension specialists. The team urged farmers to remain vigilant for WBPH activity and disease symptoms and to follow timely advisories from PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres.
https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&intID=11107
