PAU-KVK advises farmers to stay vigilant against rice dwarf disease; avoid pesticides without expert guidance
Ferozepur, July 23, 2026: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ferozepur, has urged farmers to remain alert against rice dwarf disease and refrain from using pesticides without expert advice, following a field survey conducted across several villages in the district.
The KVK team, under the tutelage of Deputy Director Dr. Gurmel Singh Sandhu, surveyed paddy fields in Rukne Wala, Hamad Wala, Arif Ke, Waka Morh, Kari Kalan, Alfu Ke, Lakho Ke Behram and Chak Haraj Barracks to assess the incidence of the disease.
Dr. Sandhu advised farmers to inspect their fields regularly and not ignore the early signs of pests or diseases. He stressed that pesticides should be applied only as per the recommendations of agricultural experts and that farmers should immediately contact the Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture specialists if they notice any suspicious symptoms. Timely monitoring and scientific crop management, he said, can help prevent significant economic losses.
Providing technical details, Dr. Harvinder Singh Butter, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), explained that rice dwarf disease is caused by a virus that results in stunted plants with pointed leaves and poorly developed root systems. Infected plants often remain only one-half to one-third the height of healthy plants. In severe cases, panicles may fail to produce grains, and the plants may eventually wither and dry up, causing substantial yield losses.
He further informed that the disease can affect all rice varieties and is transmitted by the white-backed planthopper. Therefore, identifying and controlling the insect at an early stage is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. The nymphs are initially greyish-white and later turn dark grey, while the adult insect can be identified by a narrow white stripe on its back and a distinct black spot on the hind portion of its forewings.
Dr. Sandhu advised farmers to survey their fields at least once a week. To check for the presence of the white-backed planthopper, farmers should gently bend and shake rice plants two to three times and observe whether nymphs or adult insects float on the standing water. If the pest population reaches the recommended threshold, insecticides should be applied strictly according to PAU recommendations.
He also suggested placing a light bulb near the fields at night to monitor the insect, as it is attracted to light. Farmers were further advised to uproot and deeply bury infected plants at the initial stage to prevent the disease from spreading. Keeping field bunds and irrigation channels free from weeds, closely monitoring fields that were affected last year, and applying nitrogen fertilisers only in recommended quantities were also among the key recommendations.
During the visit, Dr. B.S. Sekhon, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science), encouraged vegetable growers to cultivate PAU-recommended varieties and provided solutions to cultivation-related problems based on the university's latest recommendations.