Disease-prone seed takes toll on paddy

It is an infectious disease that affects seed germination while an expert team claimed that the seed was not recommended by the government as it was a disease-prone variety. An added problem is that in such cases the farmers might not be eligible for compensation. 

Though the BPT 5204 paddy variety was not suitable for the late cultivation, several farmers in Tiruchy district, especially in pockets like Lalgudi, Puliyur, Thottiyam, Mannachanallur and Anthanallur, opted for it by purchasing seeds from private suppliers. They have sowed them after the Metturd dam was opened on October 2, last year. Moreover, the delay in sowing had added to the problem. 

When the fungal growth intensifies, the smut ball would burst and become orange, later resulting in yellowish-green or greenish-black in colour in the crops. Infection usually occurs during the reproductive and ripening stages, infecting a few grains in the panicle and leaving the rest healthy. As the disease would spread fast, farmers faced the danger of losing the entire crops.

Most of the farmers in the district cultivated the variety as it had good demand in the market. While, the department stopped distributing BPT 5204 seeds and cut the subsidy, farmers got them from private dealers. It is said that the variety, which used to give a yield up to 30 bags per acre, were sold at Rs 20 per kg, which is higher than the usual varieties leading the farmers to go for it, without considering the risks involved. Meanwhile, a few days back when Director of Agricuture V Dakshinamoorthy visited Tiruchy, farmers sought his intervention to help them tide over the problem.

“This paddy variety has been cultivated in several thousands of acres in the district and the entire acreage faces the threat of going waste. The Director of Agriculture who visited Tiruchy was briefed about the disease and he instructed experts to conduct a field study. Experts on Thursday, after inspecting the fileds, have asked us not to use the disease-hit paddy for any other purpose as it may cause serious health issues,” said Puliyur A Nagarajan, state president of TMC (Farmers Wing). 

Meanwhile, on Thursday, an expert team from the department of Agronomy from Anbil Dharmalingam Agriculture College and Research Institute found that the entire crop had been affected by the disease in many parts of the district. The team claimed that it was due to moisture condition and the delayed sowing.