Shrunken grains and empty shells, fusarium wilt damages gram crops

In the quiet fields of Neelbad village in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district, farmer Babulal solemnly demonstrates the extent of this season's agricultural tragedy. Breaking open pod after pod, he reveals shrunken grains and empty shells – stark evidence of the 50 percent damage his gram crop has suffered.

"I've never seen losses this severe before," Babulal says, confusion evident in his weather-beaten face. His older brother, Karan Singh, surveys their withering fields with resignation. "These unseasonal rains brought some disease that destroyed everything we planted," he explains.

Their experience is not isolated. Across numerous villages in Ichchhawar tehsil, a devastating fungal infection called wilt disease is wreaking havoc on gram crops. Caused by Fusarium oxysporum, this soil and seed-borne pathogen manifests in distinctive patches across fields. The disease progression is merciless – upper leaves wither first, then the entire plant gradually dries up and dies.

Agricultural experts warn that untreated wilt disease can destroy up to 70 percent of crops. The infection typically emerges months after sowing, making early detection challenging for farmers without proper knowledge.

Multiple factors contribute to wilt's spread, primarily the absence of crop rotation and persistent atmospheric moisture. Climate change has exacerbated these conditions, creating ideal environments for the fungus to thrive.

When contacted about the situation in Neelbad, Sehore Agriculture Deputy Director KK Pandey claimed no reports had reached his office. "If we receive a complaint, we'll dispatch a survey team immediately," he stated, highlighting the communication gap between affected farmers and agricultural authorities.

Babulal and Karan Singh perceive government assistance as an elusive prospect. "We don't even receive insurance benefits when our crops fail," laments Karan Singh. Both brothers have reached a difficult decision: abandoning gram cultivation entirely next season.

The tragedy lies in the preventability of these losses. Agricultural scientists have developed effective seed treatments that can mitigate wilt disease before sowing. However, this critical information rarely reaches smallholder farmers like those in Neelbad.

As climate patterns grow increasingly erratic worldwide, agricultural communities face unprecedented challenges. The urgent priority must be bridging the information gap between scientific knowledge and farming practices. Effective extension services, timely advisories, and accessible training programmes could empower farmers to adapt their methods against emerging threats.

Without intervention, more farmers will follow Babulal and Karan Singh's path – abandoning traditional crops that have sustained communities for generations. The true cost extends beyond economic losses to cultural and food security implications that will reshape rural landscapes for years to come.

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