Paddy dwarfing: Everything you need to know about SRBSDV Fiji virus

Scientists have decoded the mystery disease afflicting paddy crops in Haryana and Punjab

The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has stated that the disease-causing 'dwarfing' in rice plants across Haryana and Punjab is due to the Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV), belonging to the genus Fijivirus.

SRBSDV is a virus with ten double-stranded RNA segments. It is transmitted by a white-backed plant hopper (WBPH). Apart from rice, it can also be found in several weed species.

IARI conducted surveys in 24 fields across Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Yamunanagar, according to a report by Indian Express (IE). The survey showed that the damage in the field ranged from 2 to 20