most Common Crop Diseases and their solutions in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, crops are susceptible to various diseases that can adversely impact their yield and quality. Here are some of the most common diseases found in crops in the region.

1. Bacterial Blight:

   • Crops Affected: Rice (called as Bhat in Marathi), Cotton (called as Kapus in Marathi)
   • Symptoms: Leaf spots, blights, wilting.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Plant disease-resistant varieties, practice crop rotation, and avoid excessive moisture on leaves. Apply copper-based fungicides as a preventive measure.

2. Blast:

   • Crop Affected: Rice
   • Symptoms: Lesions on leaves, panicles, and grains.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Use disease-resistant rice varieties, remove infected plants, and apply appropriate fungicides at the first sign of the disease.

3. Downy Mildew:

   • Crops Affected: Grapes(called as Drakshe in Marathi), Cucurbits (Cucumber (called as Kakdi in Marathi), Pumpkin, etc.), Soybeans
   • Symptoms: Yellowish patches on leaves, reduced yield.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Plant resistant varieties, practice proper spacing for better air circulation, and apply fungicides as per recommended schedule.

4. Powdery Mildew:

   • Crops Affected: Wheat(called as Gahu in Marathi), Grapes, Cucurbits
   • Symptoms: White powdery growth on leaves.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Good air circulation is important to prevent mildew. Prunning of old leaves is also necessary. Do not water on plant leaves and do not let soil get on leaves when watering. Use drip irrigation. You can also use mulching. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, practice proper irrigation, and use sulfur-based fungicides to control the disease. Use neem oil spray.Use milk and water (40:60) spray. Or you can also use mouthwash like listerine ultraclean and water (25:75). You can also use vinegar. 2-3 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 litre water. You can also use baking soda with dish soap liquid and water.

5. Rust:

   • Crops Affected: Wheat, Soybeans, Sugarcane (called as oos in Marathi)
   • Symptoms: Reddish-brown pustules on leaves.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Plant rust-resistant varieties, remove infected plant debris, and apply fungicides early in the disease cycle.

6. Leaf Spot:

   • Crops Affected: Tomato , Potato (called as Batata in Marathi), Cotton
   • Symptoms: Circular or irregular spots on leaves.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Practice crop rotation, maintain good field hygiene, and use copper-based fungicides.

7. Wilt:

   • Crops Affected: Tomato, Brinjal (Eggplant) (called as Vange in Marathi), Cucurbits
   • Symptoms: Wilting and death of plants.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Use disease-resistant varieties, avoid waterlogged conditions, and practice crop rotation.

8. Anthracnose:

   • Crops Affected: Chilli (called as Mirchi in Marathi), Mango (called as Amba in Marathi), Beans (called as Sheng in Marathi)
   • Symptoms: Dark lesions on fruits and leaves.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Remove and destroy infected plant parts, avoid overhead irrigation, and apply fungicides during the growing season.

9. Fusarium Wilt:

   • Crops Affected: Banana (called as Keli in Marathi), Tomato, Pigeon Pea (called as tur dal in Marathi)
   • Symptoms: Wilting and yellowing of leaves.
   • Prevention & Solutions: Use disease-resistant varieties, practice soil solarization, and rotate crops to reduce disease buildup.

10. Smut:

    • Crops Affected: Sorghum , Maize (called as Maka in Marathi), Sugarcane
    • Symptoms: Black masses of spores on various plant parts.
    • Prevention & Solutions: Plant disease-free seeds, practice crop rotation, and apply fungicides early in the disease cycle.

11. Late Blight:

    • Crops Affected: Potato, Tomato
    • Symptoms: Water-soaked lesions on leaves and fruits.
    • Prevention & Solutions: Plant resistant varieties, remove and destroy infected plant parts, and use protective fungicides.

12. Sheath Blight:

    • Crop Affected: Rice
    • Symptoms: Rotting of leaf sheaths, reduction in grain production.
    • Prevention & Solutions: Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, ensure good drainage, and use disease-resistant rice varieties.