According to a survey carried out by scientists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), yellow rust disease has appeared in small patches in a few wheat fields near Anandpur Sahib and Nangal in Ropar district which are sub-mountainous areas of Punjab.
"The attack of yellow rust has been witnessed in HD 2967 variety of wheat crop in the sub-mountainous areas of Ropar and Anandpur Sahib, though it is in patches," Karnal based Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research, Director, Indu Sharma said today.
Yellow rust is a fungal disease which turns the crop's leaves into yellowish colour, stops photosynthesis and causes tremendous losses in yield, experts said.
The disease appears as yellow coloured, powdery linear stripes on the leaves. When touched, the yellow coloured spore mass sticks to the fingers, a conspicuous criteria for disease identification, they said.
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"In case yellow rust is observed, it should be immediately checked by applying the effective fungicides," said P S Sekhon, head of Plant Pathology Department in Punjab Agriculture University.