Question : WILT PROBLEM IN RED GRAM



(a) whether wilt problem to the red gram has emerged in Karnataka and other States of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a)&(b): Red gram wilt disease is reported to cause the following average plant mortality in Karnataka and other States:

Karanataka	1.1 %
Bihar	18.3%
Gujarat	5.4 %
Andhra Pradesh	5.3 %
M.P.	5.4 %
Maharashtra	22.6 %
U.P.	8.2 %
West Bengal	6.12 %
Tamil Nadu	1.4 %
Other States	Below 1 %

(c): Wilt resistant/tolerant varieties such as Maruthi, Asha, BSMR 736, BSMR 853, ICPL 87051, ICPL 87, JA 4, MA 3, MA 6, NDA 98-2, BDN2, Narendra Arhar 1, Amar, Azad and DA 11 have been developed and released. Seed treatment with carbendazim+Thiram or bio-agents (Trichoderma spp.) has been recommended. Intercropping and crop rotation with sorghum has also been advocated. All these components have been integrated into a Package of Practices under Integrated Pest Management which is demonstrated and implemented in Karnataka and other parts of the country through Farmers Field Schools.