**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1496 regarding the management and containment of Sclerotinia rot in mustard crops, answered on July 29, 2025.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in response to concerns raised by Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao, confirms that the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research has achieved success in managing Sclerotinia rot through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. These practices incorporate chemical, biological, and nutrient management strategies.
However, increasing incidences of Sclerotinia rot have been observed in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. These increases are attributed to monocropping practices and irrigated cultivation. Yield losses in infected plants range from 50% to 100%, depending on the stage of infection.
The government clarifies that no action has been taken regarding open field trials, as the Sclerotinia rot pathogen is not considered invasive. The disease was first reported in India in 1915.
Preventative measures, excluding quarantine, focus on promoting integrated disease management. Key measures include deep summer ploughing, seed treatment with *Trichoderma harzianum* (10 g/kg seed), foliar sprays of Propiconazole 25 EC (0.05%) at 40-45 days after sowing (DAS) and 65-70 DAS, balanced fertilizer application, and avoiding irrigation during periods conducive to disease development (foggy weather).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for agricultural research, education, and farmers' welfare.
Department of Agricultural Research Education: A department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, focused on agricultural research and education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question was raised.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed Mustard Research: An Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute focused on research related to rapeseed and mustard.
Sclerotinia rot: A fungal disease affecting mustard crops, which is the primary subject of the policy question.
Rajasthan: A state in India that has witnessed an increasing incidence of Sclerotinia rot in mustard crops.
Haryana: A state in India that has witnessed an increasing incidence of Sclerotinia rot in mustard crops.
Integrated Pest Management: A comprehensive approach to pest control that includes chemical, biological, and nutrient management options to control diseases like Sclerotinia rot.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1496
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2025
MANAGEMENT AND CONTAINING SPREAD OF SCLEROTINIA ROT IN MUSTARD
1496. SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान
कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed Mustard Research could get success in
management and containing spread of Sclerotinia rot in major Mustard growing are in
different States;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the specific States that witnessed increasing
incidence in the past five years and the average yield losses;
(c) the details of action taken against the concerned responsible for open field trials and
its area wide spread; and
(d) the details of measures except of quarantine which have been taken to prevent
invasive pests establishing in our country especially in view of climatic change?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a): Yes. The Integrated Pest Management practices including chemical, biological, and
nutrient management options are recommended to control Sclerotinia rot disease in major
mustard growing areas in different states.
(b): States which have witnessed increasing incidence of Sclerotinia rot include
Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The increasing
incidences are attributed to factors like widely adopted monocropping practices and
cultivation of rapeseed-mustard under irrigated conditions. The yield loss due to Sclerotinia
rot in rapeseed-mustard varies, depends on the disease incidence and infection at a
particular plant growth stage. Average yield losses in infected plants varies from 50-100%
depending upon stage at which plant is infected.
1(c): This disease was first reported in 1915 in India. As the pathogen of this disease is not
invasive, there is no restrictions of the open field trials in mustard.
(d): Popularization of Integrated disease management measures including, deep summer
ploughing, seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum @ 10 g/kg seed, foliar spray of
Propiconazole 25 EC @ 0.05% at 40-45 DAS and 65-70 DAS, balanced fertilizer application
and avoiding irrigation during critical disease development period (foggy weather) are major
measures to curb this disease.
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