Executive Snapshot
Diagnosis: Field surveys and lab submissions indicate Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV), transmitted by White-Backed Planthopper (WBPH), as the primary cause of severe stunting (plants ≤ one-third normal height) in non-basmati rice transplanted mid-June.
Cross-checks: 2022 North-West India episode; long-distance WBPH flights; heavy July rainfall & waterlogging aggravated losses.
What this means now
- Vector-borne The virus is not seed-borne; it moves only via WBPH feeding.
- No curative sprays Focus on vector suppression, sanitation, and timing. Remove hot-spots; do not overspray without pest presence.
- Compensation logic Where height loss and tiller suppression are severe despite compliance with advisories, damage is largely uncontrollable by farmers → supports girdawari-based relief.
Quick Actions (Field)
- Scout weekly: gently tilt plants; count WBPH floating on water (treat if 5–10 adults/plant observed).
- Rogue early: discard infected seedlings; in 5–20% patches, replace diseased tillers with healthy tillers.
- Direct sprays to plant base only when WBPH present:
🧪Triflumezopyrim 10% SC (Pexalon) 235 ml/ha • Dinotefuran 20% SG (Osheen/Token) 200 g/ha • Pymetrozine 50% WG (Chess) 300 g/ha • Flonicamid 50% WG (Ulala) ~150 g/ha.Rotate actives; follow state label doses and pre-harvest intervals.
- Sanitation: clear bund weeds; destroy off-season hosts near wheat belts; uproot & bury severely stunted patches.
- Timing: avoid very early (mid-June) transplanting; prefer recommended window to dodge peak WBPH.
- Rule-outs: test for zinc deficiency when uniform yellowing/stunting appears without hopper presence.
Note: Always check the latest circulars from Dept. of Agriculture, Haryana and PAU/CCS HAU before procurement and application.
Situation & History
2025 Haryana/Doab observations
- Central team identified WBPH as the SRBSDV vector in affected districts; labs engaged for confirmation.
- Farmer reports: large height reduction, poor tillering; unions seeking girdawari-based compensation.
Source: Hindustan Times field report and official statements.
Global & past outbreaks (evidence)
- China 2001→ SRBSDV first detected; by 2009 spread to 19 provinces in N. Vietnam & 9 in S. China; 42k–300k ha affected. By 2011–12, >1.2M ha impacted in China/Vietnam.
- India 2022 NW India dwarfing episode recognised; advisories issued; early-June transplants hardest hit.
Primary virology source: Frontiers in Microbiology review.
Why It Happens (Technical)
Etiology
- SRBSDV (Fijivirus; 10 dsRNA segments) → dark-green stiff leaves, excessive but unproductive tillering, shallow roots, severe stunting.
- Vector: WBPH transmits the virus persistently; brown/small brown planthoppers are not efficient vectors.
- Co-factors: Rice gall dwarf virus (RGDV) detected in some Indian studies; heavy rain/waterlogging amplify losses.
Not seed-borne ⇒ what to test
SRBSDV is not seed-transmitted; focus seed testing on germination, physical & genetic purity, and seed-borne fungi/bacteria (not SRBSDV).
Seed health & certification services: Haryana Seeds Development Corporation (HSDC) Umri lab; Haryana State Seed Certification Agency.
Seed Conservation & Storage — Best Practices
For orthodox seeds (rice/wheat)
- Dry to ~8% moisture (10–12% for short term).
- Store cool 0–15 °C, RH < 50%; keep “seed moisture + RH ≤ 80”.
- Use airtight containers; clean, rodent/insect-proof rooms; keep off the floor and away from walls.
- Label lots (variety, source, harvest date). Inspect periodically for pests & moisture.
Genebank standards & local options
- ICAR-NBPGR National Genebank (New Delhi) conserves seeds at −18 °C; supports safety duplication.
- Community Seed Banks: borrow-and-return systems for landraces; useful for resilience & local adaptation.
| Rule | Target |
|---|---|
| Seed moisture | ≈ 8% (paddy seed) |
| Store temp | 0–15 °C (room); −18 °C (long-term genebank) |
| Relative humidity | < 50% |
Enterprise Ideas (Haryana)
- Seed processing & storage service (cleaning, drying, grading, hermetic storage) for co-ops & FPOs.
- Accredited seed-testing lab for germination & varietal purity; add molecular ID/virus indexing for differentiation.
- Community Seed Bank hub with documentation/training; safety-duplicate with NBPGR.
- IPM service—WBPH monitoring & threshold-based supply; zinc-deficiency soil checks to avoid misdiagnosis.
Compliance: Seeds Act/Rules, National Seeds Policy; work with HSDC/HSSCA and CCS HAU.
Annex A — Field Protocols
WBPH Scouting (10-minute loop per field)
- Pick 10 random spots; at each spot gently tilt 10 plants; count hoppers on water surface.
- Record average adults/plant; if ≥5–10, plan one labelled spray; re-check in 72–96 hours.
- Direct nozzle to stem base; avoid broadleaf/weed drifts; keep logs (date, area, product, dose).
Spray Notes & Resistance Management
- Rotate modes of action; avoid consecutive same-MOA applications.
- Follow PHI, PPE and water-volume labels (typ. ~200 L/acre for listed actives).
- Stop spraying when WBPH counts fall below threshold.
Annex B — Source Links (open in new tab)
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Hindustan Times (Chandigarh): Paddy farmers grapple with dwarf virus…
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Frontiers in Microbiology (Review): SRBSDV: WBPH-transmitted fijivirus threatening rice production
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ICAR advisory (mirrored): Advisory for stunted growth of paddy crop
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Drishti IAS: Paddy Dwarfing — context & notes
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HSDC (Haryana): Quality Control & Seed Testing (Umri)
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TNAU Agritech (storage): Seed Storage Guidelines
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Geeta University (overview): Seed Storage: Principles & Practices
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Seednet India (policy context): Introduction to the Indian Seed Sector
Notes for Relief & Policy Teams
- Attribution: Vector-borne viral stunting with rapid spread across blocks aligns with prior East Asia epidemics; supports classification as extraordinary biotic stress.
- Verification: Use WBPH counts + height/tiller suppression maps + compliant practice logs to trigger compensation slabs.
- Risk reduction: Communicate sowing-window guidance; strengthen weed host control between wheat–rice seasons; district-level WBPH monitoring dashboard.