Yellow rust hits wheat over 2000 acres in Y’nagar

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Yamunanagar, February 27

Farmers of the district are distressed by an attack of yellow on over 2000 acres for the past couple of weeks.

After the first case of fungicide yellow rust in the state was detected in Rampur Majra village on January 10, the disease has now affected 798 hectares of the crop in patches here. Sources said 1125 acres of the crop was affected in Chhachhruali block. The disease was detected in 500 acres in Sadhaura block, 275 acres in Mustafabad block and in 100 acres in Bilaspur block.

However, the lowest cases were reported in Jagadhri block (only three acres) and in Radaur (only 11 acres).

“Yamunanagar is one of the yellow rust prone districts in Haryana. This district falls (mainly Chhachhruali block of the district) in the foot hills of the sub-Himalyan region where the inoculum of yellow rust disease disseminates to the plains through air,” said Dr Rakesh Jangra, Assistant Plant Protection Officer.

The spread of disease has sent a panic wave among several farmers. Amarjeet Singh of Sarawan village said, “Crop on nine acres has been affected by yellow rust. I have sprayed fungicide but in vain and the chances of survival of the crop are nil.”

Deputy Director, Agriculture, Dr Madan Mohan, said the farmers need to be extra vigilant this time since the prevailing weather conditions are favourable for the quick spread of the disease.

Farmers must inform the department if symptoms of yellow rust were found in their crop. Besides, the farmers must spray only the recommended fungicides-Propiconazole and Bayleton – on the affected crop, he added.

“We have been visiting villages to warn the farmers for controlling the disese at the first stage itself,” he said.