Orobanche Threat to Mustard and India’s Edible Oil Security (Completely Explained)

Context

India’s largest oilseed crop, mustard, is facing a growing threat from Orobanche, a parasitic weed. The infestation is reducing yields in major mustard-growing States, raising concerns for farmers’ livelihoods and India’s edible oil security.

Q1. Why is mustard an important crop for India?

1. Mustard is India’s largest indigenous edible oil source.
2. It is cultivated on nearly nine million hectares across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal.
3. It contributes over 4 million tonnes out of India’s 10.5–10.6 million tonnes of domestic edible oil production.
4. Improving mustard yields is critical to reduce India’s heavy dependence on edible oil imports.

Q2. What is Orobanche and how does it damage mustard?

1. Orobanche aegyptiaca is a parasitic weed that attaches to mustard roots.
2. It extracts nutrients, water, and carbon from the host plant.
3. This causes wilting, yellowing, stunted growth, and reduced seed yields.
4. The weed grows underground initially, making early detection difficult.

Q3. Why is Orobanche called a “hidden threat”?

1. The parasite establishes underground connections before appearing above the soil.
2. By the time shoots emerge, significant crop damage has already occurred.
3. This delays farmer response and reduces control effectiveness.
4. Repeated mustard cultivation accelerates infestation.

Q4. Why has the problem intensified in recent years?

1. Each Orobanche plant produces thousands of tiny seeds.
2. These seeds remain viable in soil for up to 20 years.
3. Irrigation for mustard also triggers Orobanche seed germination.
4. Strong seed banks lead to early and uniform infestation across fields.

Q5. How is Orobanche affecting farmer behaviour?

1. Farmers are reporting yield losses of 30–50%.
2. Many are reducing mustard acreage and shifting to wheat, chickpea, or barley.
3. Confidence in mustard cultivation is declining, despite its lower irrigation needs.
4. This threatens long-term oilseed production goals.

Q6. Why are conventional herbicides ineffective?

1. Common herbicides like glyphosate are non-selective.
2. They kill both the weed and the mustard crop.
3. Recommended low doses are insufficient to block the EPSPS enzyme.
4. Higher doses would destroy standing crops, making them unusable.

Q7. How can herbicide-resistant mustard help?

1. Herbicide-resistant hybrids can survive targeted chemical application.
2. Such hybrids allow selective killing of Orobanche without harming mustard.
3. A non-GM hybrid developed by Corteva Agriscience tolerates imidazolinone herbicides.
4. Early field results show improved weed control and restored farmer confidence.

Q8. What is the role of GM technology in addressing this challenge?

1. Scientists at the University of Delhi have developed GM mustard lines.
2. These contain genes that provide resistance to multiple herbicides.
3. Multiple herbicide tolerance reduces the risk of resistance build-up.
4. GM solutions offer long-term control where conventional methods fail.

Q9. What policy dilemma does India face?

1. Mustard is critical for edible oil self-reliance.
2. Orobanche threatens productivity and farmer income.
3. GM crops face regulatory and ideological resistance.
4. Decisions must balance biosafety, farm economics, and food security.

Conclusion

Orobanche poses a serious risk to mustard production and edible oil security. Addressing it requires scientific, economically viable solutions, including responsible use of herbicide-resistant and GM technologies, guided by evidence rather than ideology.