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Source-This post on wheat blast has been created based on the article “Researchers: Wheat blast could reduce production by 13 %” published in “WORLD-GRAIN.com” on 2 February 2024.
Why in the news?
Researchers have estimated that a wheat blast disease that may spread in the future could reduce global wheat production by 13% by 2050.
About Wheat blast
| Aspect | Details |
| About | It is a fungal disease that affects wheat production in tropical and subtropical regions. |
| Caused by | Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT). It was identified in Brazil in 1985. The fungus infects wild and cultivated grasses, most notably rice and wheat. |
| Transmission | It spreads through infected seeds, crop residues, and spores that can travel long distances in the air. |
| Favourable condition | It thrives in warm and humid conditions. |
| Effects | 1) It causes progressive bleaching of the heads, lower yields, and poor seed quality. 2) Stems and leaves are discoloured, with dark brown, eye-shaped lesions on leaves. 3) Sometimes dark grey spores can be seen. 4) It can shrivel and deform the grain in less than a week from the first symptoms. |
About Wheat
1) It is the main cereal crop in India. It is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice.
2)Type– It is a Rabi Crop which is sown in October-December and harvested during April-June.
3) Ideal temperature: Between 23±3°C
4) Rainfall: 50 cm to 100 cm rainfall.
5) Soil Type: Soils with a clay loam or loam texture, good structure and moderate water holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation.
6) Major wheat growing states in India: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat.
Note-1) Asia’s first outbreak of this pathogenic wheat blast was reported in Bangladesh in 2016.
2) China is the world’s largest producer of wheat. India is the second-largest producer of wheat.
UPSC Syllabus-Environment & geography.
