Biotic Stress Management of Makhana Crops

Abstract

Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.), a member of the Nymphaeceae family and also called gorgon/fox nut, is a floating annual aquatic plant. This plant grows in 1.5–meter-deep and stagnant wetland ecosystems. The demand for makhana in other countries has surged owing to the expanding potential of makhana. However, more than 80% of the makhana production is restricted to the Bihar State of India. The productivity of this high-value crop is affected by various biotic factors particularly diseases and insect pests such as leaf blight, leaf spot, botrytis grey mold, tumor formation, aphids, case worms, Singhara beetle, gastropod, etc. This leads to yield losses in makhana of 20–25% of the total yields. Therefore, effective management of these diseases and insect pests is crucial to enhancing the production of makhana, which has nutritional, medicinal and ritualistic significance. Limited research is available on the disease management and pests related to makhana as the biology of biotic stresses of makhana and their management is not well understood. Management of diseases of makhana either in the pond or submerged field conditions is not easy, as makhana is generally cultivated along with fish culture. However, we have tried to incorporate available management strategies developed up to now in this book chapter. Application of bio-control agents should be preferred in the case of makhana considering the lives of aquatic fauna and flora in view. The detailed study of the interaction of insect pests and plant pathogens including their involvement in disease development and their role in crop loss is also required to formulate an effective management practice. Therefore, more research work on the control of insect pests like aphids and some prominent diseases must be accelerated to cope with the challenge faced in the case of makhana. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Dinesh Singh, Rashid Pervez, and Anoop Kumar; individual chapters, the contributors.