Reports indicate that fungal diseases can cause crop losses ranging from 20 per cent to 40 per cent in key Kharif crops, impacting farmers’ revenues and national food security

Byline: R G Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech

As the southwest monsoon season sets upon India in July, the farm sector experiences increased activity in sowing and early farm care. With such a much-needed change in the agrarian schedule, however, comes the threat of one of Indian agriculture’s most insidious and underestimated dangers: fungal diseases.

Fungal infections have severe economic impacts, apart from those on agriculture. Reports indicate that fungal diseases can cause crop losses ranging from 20 per cent to 40 per cent in key Kharif crops, impacting farmers’ revenues and national food security. For agribusinessmen, input suppliers in agriculture, and policymakers, July is the time when action matters most—when early detection of problems and timely spraying of crops can help prevent crop loss and safeguard investments.

Why July Is the ‘Trigger Month’ For Fungal Outbreaks
July marks the stage at which all the factors are most favourable for fungal pathogens: extended leaf wetness period, moderate temperatures (20–30°C), saturated soil, and dense leaf cover at the stage of crop canopy development. These factors induce spore germination, pathogen dissemination, and ultimately infection.

These are crops such as rice, corn, soybeans, cotton, beans, and vegetables and fruits that are highly susceptible at this stage of growth. For India’s largely small farmers, any delay in detecting or responding to the preliminary warning signs of fungal disease leads to resultant losses in the fields and reduced marketable yields.

Common Fungal Diseases in Kharif Crops
It’s good to know what to watch out for since fungal diseases have the potential to spread rapidly in favourable conditions, especially in the rainy month of July. Some of the big fungal problems during this time are Blast and Sheath Blight on rice, which manifest as brown, oval spots and rot at the base of the plant, especially in standing water. Downy Mildew, which attacks corn and vegetables, manifests as yellow stripes with white, cottony growth on the back of leaves and thrives at high humidity. Powdery Mildew, which is most commonly found on beans and cotton, manifests as white, powdery spots on stems and leaves, cutting off plants’ ability to photosynthesise and weakening them. Alternaria Leaf Spot, which attacks peanuts and mustard, manifests as dark, round spots, causing early leaf drop. Anthracnose, which attacks peppers and most fruits, manifests as dark, sunken spots on the produce, often causing rot and making the crop unsalable. Knowing and taking action against these issues early is important in order to limit damage and keep crops healthy.

Field-level Monitoring: The First Line of Defense
July demands greater vigilance, and thus farmers and agri-extension workers need to carry out regular field surveys—early morning or late evening—when symptoms become more apparent. Early symptoms of the fungal disease are leaf spots with clear or diffused borders, yellowing or wilting in scattered spots, petiole or stem discolouration, abnormal powdery, downy, or fuzzy growth, and conspicuous turgidity or new shoot emergence decline. Early detection and timely treatment enable the use of targeted fungicide applications, helping to contain the disease in specific areas, reduce the need for widespread spraying, and ultimately lower overall input costs.

Intelligent Spraying Schedules: A Precision Approach
Conventional spraying programs are mostly time-scheduled. Climatic differences and behaviour of the pathogens require a dynamic, weather-dependent spraying program. The following is a realistic strategy suitable for July:

Week 1–2: Preventive Shield

● Use broad-spectrum protectant fungicides before disease onset.

● Highlight valuable crops and sites of previous disease incidence.

● Utilisation during the cooler seasons with low wind speed to provide enhanced coverage.

Week 3: Targeted Curative Sprays

● Once the symptoms are detected, switch to systemic fungicides that can halt pathogen development from the inside.

● Prioritise rotation of active ingredients to prevent resistance accumulation.

Week 4: Preparedness for Post-Monsoon Surge

● There will typically be a second spray required where there is constant rain.

● The product should be used in lower canopy regions where humidity pockets last the longest. The precision of spraying in terms of mode of application, timing, and dose is critical. Overapplication is not only costly but also increases the risk of chemical residues and environmental contamination.

Integrated Disease Management (IDM): Beyond Chemicals
Effective management of fungal disease is more than chemicals. It is Integrated Disease Management (IDM), a system that integrates cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical approaches to defend crops sustainably. Among the most significant IDM practices are the sowing of certified seeds resistant to disease, ensuring fields drain well so they do not hold standing water, providing the correct nutrients without over-applying nitrogen, and applying soil health products such as Trichoderma-based bio fungicides. Proper weeding and pruning in a timely fashion also allow air through the crop canopy, which makes it more difficult for fungi to establish. By fortifying the natural defenses of the crop and reducing its inherent weaknesses, IDM not only minimizes the use of chemicals but also causes them to work more effectively when they are applied.

Technology-driven Disease Forecasting
Recent years have seen agri-tech start-ups and research institutions create systems that use AI, satellite imagery, and ground sensors to predict disease occurrence based on local climatic conditions. Computer-based advisory systems can provide personalised messages to farmers, telling them where and when to spray based on disease risk models. Spraying with drones is also becoming popular as it can cover big or wet fields within a short period, providing even spraying and fewer labourers. Including such digital tools in conventional agriculture can contribute significantly to enhancing disease control and resource usage.

Pest and disease surveillance reports are regularly published by the Government of India, in collaboration with ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and state agricultural universities. These are essentials for farmers, with practical inputs on disease incidence, suitable fungicides, and spraying schedules.

State governments must ensure that such advisories are relayed to far-flung farming pockets in real-time. Additional investment in training sessions on the prudent use of pesticides and the detection of disease symptoms is essential.

The Economic Imperative of Early Intervention
On the agri-business front, prompt detection and intelligent crop protection not only help save crops but also deliver maximum return on investment along the value chain—be it from farmers, processors, to exporters.

In a country like India, where over 55% of its population is agri-dependent, and agrarian GDP is vulnerable to climate-related shocks, scientific disease management is as much an economic as an agronomic necessity. As we progress deeper into the monsoon months, the message is a resounding one: July is not just a growth month—it is the line of defense. With proactive vigilance, intelligent spraying, and integrated crop health strategies, Indian agriculture can minimise fungal losses and develop its resilience.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.