Wheat farmers advised to watch out for yellow rust

Nitish Sharma

Ambala, February 16

Following a rise in the daytime temperature, the Agriculture Department has asked wheat farmers in Ambala and Kurukshetra to watch out for yellow rust and inform the department if the disease is detected in the fields.

Yellow rust is a fungal disease which manifests as powdery yellow stripes on leaves and hinders photosynthesis, making grains shrivel.

The occurrence of the disease can be confirmed if yellow colour appears on fingers or on a white cloth after rubbing the infected leaves. “However, yellowing of leaves doesn’t necessarily signify yellow rust as there could be several reasons,” he said.

Assistant plant protection officer, Ambala, Shekhar Kumar said, “A survey was conducted this week in the district but no case of yellow rust was detected. The next 15 days are crucial for the crop and the farmers have been advised to be vigilant. The yellow disease spreads very quickly, hence regular monitoring is required.”.

The Deputy Director Agriculture, Ambala, Dr Jasvinder Saini, said, “Though farmers are aware of the medicines and precautions, they are advised to inform the department so that appropriate measures can be taken to control it.”