Karnataka: New fungal disease affecting ginger crop in Kodagu

Researchers from ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, have identified a new fungal disease that severely affected ginger crop in 2024 in parts of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

Researchers from ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, have identified a new fungal disease that severely affected ginger crop in 2024 in parts of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

A statement from Head, ICAR-IISR’s Regional Station at Appangala in Madikeri near here, said the disease caused by fungal pathogen Pyricularia spp. is a new threat to ginger cultivation. “While Pyricularia is well known for causing blast diseases in monocot plants like rice, wheat, and barley, this is the first time it has been reported in ginger,” the statement said.

“The disease appears as yellowing of the ginger plant leaves, accompanied by black/dark olive-green spots in the early stages. Once the infection takes hold, it spreads rapidly and can cover the entire field within hours, leading to severe crop loss and plant death,” the statement said.

Experts confirm that the rhizomes of the affected plants remain unaffected, the statement said while adding that the problems lies in the premature yellowing and drying of the leaves, which affects the proper formation of ginger rhizomes. “As a result, farmers of Kodagu have experienced losses up to 30% in rhizome weight,” said the statement.

According to researchers, the spread of the disease is largely driven by the specific climatic conditions that prevailed in Kodagu.

During August and September, the region experienced dew fall in the mornings, which provides ideal environment for the fungal pathogen to thrive and spread. “This has led to the rapid spread of the disease throughout ginger fields in some parts of Kodagu while crops in other parts of Karnataka and Kerala remain unaffected due to different environmental conditions,” the statement said.

Research conducted by the team at ICAR-IISR Kozhikode and its regional station at Appangala indicated that the climatic conditions in Kodagu – particularly the dew fall during August and September – created favourable environment for the spread of the disease.