False smut/Lakshmi disease( Ustilaginoidea virens )

Symptoms

• The Symptom is visible only after flowering when infected grains get transformed to yellow to orange spore balls, which later turns to dark green or black.
• Infected rice grains become spherical clusters of fungal spores, about twice their size.
• Only few grains in a panicle are usually infected and the rest are normal.
• It is known as Varipuvu among farmers in Karnataka. Many farmers believe that it is a symbol of prosperity and an indicator of a good harvest in the next crop. Therefore, this disease is also known as Lakshmi disease.

Management

• No special control measures are necessary in normal cases.
• Destruction of straw and stubble from infected plants is recommended.

Chemical Control

Sl.No	Generic Name	Trade Name	Color code	Dosage/litre	Knapsack Sprayer (Capacity 10L)	Dosage/acre (200 L)	Dosage/hectare (500 L)	Remarks
1	Hexaconazole 5 EC	Alert Creeper, Contaf, Corazole, Danzole, Force 5C, Hexaan, Hexacone, Hexadhan, Hexamax, Hexan, Hexazole, Mainex EC, Sitara, Strike, Titan, Topper, Topper plus EC, Xantho	Blue	1 ml/ litre of water	10 ml	200 ml	500 ml
2	Carbendazim 50 WP	Bavistin, Benfil, Bengard, Benlate, Benmain, Bensaan, Carben, Carziim50, Dhanustin, Dhanustin 50 WP, Fungiguard, Gancarzin50, Glizim, Mintho, Tagstin, Tiara, Zoom	Green	1 g/ litre of water	10 g	200 g	500 g
3	Propicanozole 25 EC	Bumper, Dhan, Pinade, Propiguard, Propik Final, Radar, Result, Tilt, Tilt Albu, Zetox	Blue	1 ml/ litre of water	10 ml	200 ml	500 ml	Spray on rotation as and when disease is noticed.
4	Mancozeb 75 WP	Devidayal M-45, Dhanuka M 45, Dhanuka M-45, Dithane, Dithane M-45, Hilthane, Hindustan M 45, Indofil M 45, Izeb M-45 Manzate, Luzen-45, Macoban, Macoban M-45, Mancosaan, Mancosaan M-45, Maneb Manzane, M-Guard, Savour M 45, Tata M-45 Eurofil-NT, Uthane M-45, Veera, Zinthane	Green	3 - 4 g/ litre of water	30 - 40 g	600 - 800 g	1500 - 2000 g

Extremely Toxic

Highly Toxic

Moderately Toxic

Slightly Toxic