Context:
Recently, experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) had cautioned farmers against the late blight disease attack on potato crop.
Relevance:
GS III: Agriculture
Late Blight Disease: Understanding the Fungal Menace
- Late Blight disease is instigated by the fungus Phytophthora infestans.
- It stands as the most critical threat to potato crops, with the potential for rapid crop failure without timely control measures.
Prevalence:
- Flourishes in humid regions with specific temperature conditions.
Symptoms:
- Initial signs manifest as small, light to dark green, circular water-soaked spots.
- During cool and moist weather, these spots rapidly enlarge into large, dark brown or black lesions, often with a greasy appearance.
- Lesions are accompanied by a pale green to yellow border.
Spread Mechanisms:
- Infected tubers and soil act as sources of primary infection.
- Diseased tubers play a crucial role in the persistence of the disease across cropping seasons.
- Airborne infection is facilitated by sporangia.
Control Measures:
- Prompt elimination of infected crop residue is essential to prevent disease spread.
- Destruction of infected tubers and soil is vital for managing the disease’s impact.
-Source: Indian Express
