Ludhiana: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) of Ludhiana has found the 'Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus' (SRBSDV) responsible for the stoppage of the growth of paddy plants in many parts of Punjab. Experts claim that an outbreak of SRBSDV has been detected for the first time in Punjab. The first cases were seen in the southern part of China in the year 2001. The crops were greatly affected by this.

Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, who was also present in Ludhiana, said the real reason for the small number of paddy plants was SRBSDV. Complaints were received from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Pathankot, SAS Nagar and Gurdaspur districts of the state that paddy plants were not growing. Subsequently, the scientists of the University visited the affected districts and took samples of the concerned plants and examined them. The team found that the crop planted was the most affected due to June 15-25.

According to experts, the infected plants were very small. Their leaves were thin and straight. Both the roots and stems of the plants were badly affected. The height of underdeveloped plants was reduced by one-third to half compared to normal plants. The roots of the plants were hollow and could be easily uprooted. Such problems were seen in almost all varieties of paddy in the fields. The SRBSDV virus was seen more in paddy fields where transplanting took place before June 25. The team observed that the outbreak was high in the early sown paddy crop, irrespective of the variety. According to PAU experts, the paddy crop planted on June 15-25 was more affected than the later dates.

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