Agricultural Expert Shares Vital Steps to Protect Sweet Potato Crops from Monsoon Diseases An agricultural expert from Bokaro has outlined preventive measures and identification tips for severe fungal and viral diseases affecting sweet potato crops during the monsoon. Farmers across the Bokaro and Chas region cultivate sweet potato on an extensive commercial scale. However, the onset of persistent monsoon rainfall regularly triggers multiple plant diseases that jeopardize crop yield and threaten cultivators with substantial financial setbacks. Addressing these seasonal risks, Technical Agriculture Manager Sandeep Kumar from Bokaro Chas has detailed the prominent crop ailments, their identifiable field symptoms, and the essential agronomic safeguards required to protect yields. Fusarium Wilt and Rot Disease Management Among the primary concerns during wet conditions is rot disease, which causes widespread vegetative decline across sweet potato fields. According to technical agriculture manager Sandeep Kumar, this condition largely stems from fungal pathogens such as Fusarium wilt. Once infected, the foliage begins turning distinctly yellow, followed by progressive wilting across the vines, severely stunting the overall vegetative growth of the crop. Standing water inside the field dramatically elevates the vulnerability of the root zone to fungal attack. Consequently, maintaining dependable field drainage is imperative to prevent water accumulation during continuous showers. Furthermore, growers must treat their seed tubers or vine cuttings with an appropriate fungicide prescribed by farm specialists prior to planting. Identifying and Preventing Scurf Disease Scurf disease presents another serious obstacle for cultivators by diminishing the commercial grade and appearance of sweet potatoes. This infection manifests directly on the outer skin of the tuber, producing dark brown to black patches or an irregular mesh like surface coating. The underlying agent responsible for this discoloration is a soil borne fungal pathogen. Preventing scurf requires strict sanitation protocols regarding planting stocks. Cultivators should exclusively utilize certified healthy seed tubers and vigorous vines sourced from disease free nurseries. Introducing compromised or visibly infected planting stock into clean soil must be strictly avoided to prevent long term soil contamination. Viral Infections and Sucking Pest Surveillance Sweet potato crops remain susceptible to damaging viral infections throughout the rainy months. A virus attack typically shows up as mottled mosaic patterns of yellow and green across the leaf surface. In addition, the foliage exhibits severe curling, wrinkling, and crinkling, leaving the entire vine weakened and unproductive. These viruses proliferate through two primary pathways: previously infected planting stock and sap sucking insect vectors, particularly aphids that transmit pathogens across adjacent plants. Ensuring that only certified virus free vine cuttings are planted serves as the first line of defense. Simultaneously, growers must conduct routine field scouting to detect and suppress sap sucking insect populations before widespread transmission occurs. Controlling Destructive Black Rot Black rot represents one of the most destructive post harvest and field diseases, directly causing tubers to decompose. Initial symptoms include the emergence of sunken brown or dark black lesions on the outer skin of the sweet potato, which gradually penetrate inward and cause the internal pulp to decay completely. The primary sources of this affliction are diseased seed material and dormant fungal spores dwelling within the field soil. The most effective strategy against black rot lies in deploying solely intact, immaculate seed stock. Cut, cracked, or physically injured tubers must never be planted, as entry wounds facilitate immediate pathogen colonization. If any diseased plant material or rotten tuber is detected in the field, it must be removed promptly and destroyed safely away from cultivation plots. Addressing Soil Moisture and Drainage Needs Agriculture manager Sandeep Kumar highlighted that chronic excessive soil moisture and waterlogging during the rainy season remain the root cause of elevated disease pressure in sweet potato farming. Prolonged dampness creates optimal microclimatic conditions for pathogenic fungi to multiply and attack root tissues. To mitigate these hazards, farmers must prepare robust drainage furrows to keep surplus rainwater moving off the plots rapidly. In addition, agricultural experts recommend selecting certified disease resistant varieties tailored for the local agro climatic conditions. Adhering to these preventive practices will shield sweet potato crops from seasonal destruction and preserve farm revenues. What this means for you This agricultural guidance provides actionable methods for sweet potato growers to safeguard crop health and farm income during the monsoon season. • In Bokaro and Chas: Local cultivators must establish clear field drainage channels to prevent water stagnation around root beds. Rapid disposal of excess rainwater directly curbs devastating fungal rot in developing tubers. • Across India: Sweet potato farmers in all growing pockets should systematically treat planting stock with recommended fungicides prior to sowing. This measure prevents persistent soil borne pathogens from ruining final harvest quality. • Pest Surveillance: Growers need to actively scout fields for sap sucking aphids and suppress them early. Controlling these vector insects prevents viral mosaic infections from spreading across healthy vines. • Seed Selection: Cultivators must completely discard cracked, cut, or spotted tubers during propagation. Investing in certified disease free planting materials guarantees higher survival and better market returns. Why this happened Elevated moisture levels, prolonged soil saturation, and unmonitored insect activity during monsoon showers accelerate disease outbreaks in sweet potato crops. • Excessive Moisture and Waterlogging: Continuous rain leads to standing water, which depletes root zone oxygen and creates an ideal environment for pathogenic fungi. This saturated state directly fosters Fusarium wilt, collar rot, and black rot infections. • Contaminated Planting Stock: Using uncertified, injured, or previously infected tubers introduces dormant fungal spores and viruses straight into field plots. These compromised materials soon ruin underground tuber formation through scurf and decay. • Proliferation of Insect Vectors: Humid seasonal conditions stimulate populations of sap sucking insects such as aphids. While feeding, these pests actively transmit viral pathogens across the entire cultivated area. Questions & Answers 1. What causes rot disease in sweet potato crops during the monsoon? It is primarily caused by fungal pathogens like Fusarium wilt flourishing under poor drainage and waterlogged conditions. 2. What are the visible symptoms of scurf disease on sweet potatoes? Scurf produces distinct brown or black lesions and a mesh like textured coating across the skin of the tuber. 3. How can viral infections in sweet potato vines be controlled? By using certified disease free vine cuttings and actively managing sap sucking pests like aphids that vector the virus. 4. What precautions should farmers take against black rot? Cultivators must avoid planting injured tubers, deploy only healthy stock, and destroy any infected plants found in the field. 5. What general advice was offered by the technical agriculture manager to protect crops? Ensure proper field drainage, treat planting materials with fungicides, and select disease resistant crop varieties. https://trendkia.com/en/jharkhand/barasata-men-sweet-potato-ko-rogon-se-bachane-ke-lie-krishi-visheshajna-ne-die-jaruri-tipsa-38360 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.