Bunt of rice

Symptoms:

This disease also called black or kernel smut, is generally prevalent wherever rice is grown. the diseased grains are filled with black powder, which can be detected by breaking them. Only a few grains may be affected wholly or partially in an ear. If not severely infected seeds may germinate but seedlings are stunted.

Perpetuation:

The disease causing organism is soil borne.

Control:

1) Cultivation of resistant varieties

2) Use of healthy seed

3) Sowing early maturing varieties

4) Avoiding high rates of nitrogen fertilizer

5) Avoiding winnowing and threshing of the diseased crop in field

6) Treating the seed with suitable chemicals easily available in the market

7) Collecting and burning diseased ear heads.