Farmers' Perception on Causes and Consequences of Rice Blast Disease at Dumuria Upazila of Khulna District

Abstract

Rice blast is the most destructive disease to rice production globally. Blast is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. The main objective of this study was to determine the farmers' perception on causes and consequences of rice blast disease in Atlia union of khulna district. Data were collected from randomly selected 105 respondents of three villages namely Maltia, Nornia and Atlia of Dumuria upazila under Khulna district through personal interview by the researcher herself using an Interview schedule during 15 March to 8ApriI, 2018. Farmers' perception regarding the causes and consequences of rice blast diseases were the dependent variable and the eleven selected characteristics of the respondents considered as the independent variables of the study. The respondent farmers had more clear perception on consequence of rice blast disease than its causes. Three-fourth (75.2%) of the respondents had moderately clear perception followed by less clear perception (14.3%) and high clear perception (10.5%) on causes of rice blast disease. Most significant or important cause of rice blast was the climatic condition while the less significant cause was DAE members did not providing any information. Three-fourth (75.2%) of the respondents had moderately clear perception followed by high clear perception (13.3%) and less clear perception (11.4%). The main consequence of rice blast disease caused in yield reduction while the consequence was least due to cutting Off the blast-infected leaf blades significantly rescues the stunted growth of leave. There exist insignificant relationships between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their perception on the causes of rice blast disease. Among Il selected characteristics of the respondents only educational qualification, farm size, organizational participation, annual income, extension contact, cosmopoliteness showed a significant positive relationship with their perception on consequences of rice blast disease.