False smut (haldi rog) in paddy

In Punjab, continuous rains and floods prevented farmers from spraying fungicides, leading to a surge of false smut (haldi rog) in paddy. Caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, it infects rice during flowering, with symptoms appearing after panicle emergence. Infected grains develop black fungal growth that turns yellow, reducing seed germination and significantly lowering yield.