Ustilago tritici is the source of loose smut of wheat, a serious seed-borne fungal disease that affects wheat crops all over the world. It is particularly common in Punjab, India's Ropar region. Food security and farmer livelihoods are impacted by the disease, which causes significant production loss and deteriorates grain quality. Using the Ropar district as a specific instance, this study examines the prevalence, symptoms, and management approaches of loose smut in wheat. During the 2023–2024 wheat growing season, field surveys, farmer interviews, and laboratory analyses were carried out. The study highlights how well integrated disease management strategies—which include resistant cultivars, seed treatment, and awareness campaigns—work. According to the results, strategic management techniques can guarantee sustainable wheat production in the area by drastically lowering the prevalence of illness

Ustilago tritici, wheat, fungal diseases, Ropar, Punjab, India

Due to conventional agricultural methods, limited knowledge, and seed-borne transmission, loose smut continues to have an impact on wheat productivity in the Ropar district. Nonetheless, disease control via fungicide treatment, resistant cultivars, and certified seed is quite successful. For these approaches to be widely adopted, farmer education and knowledge dissesmination are crucial. It is advised that: 1. Government organizations and agricultural institutions regularly provide training and treated seeds in order to guarantee sustainable wheat production in Ropar and other agroclimatic zones. 2. The implementation of policies encouraging the distribution of certified seeds at reduced prices. 3. Research on resistant variants that are regionally adapted is still ongoing. The present study has established a strong basis for comprehending the prevalence, consequences, and management of loose smut in the region of Ropar. Nonetheless, additional investigation and advancement are necessary to expand on these discoveries and guarantee sustainable, long-term sickness management

Navjeet Kaur and H.K. Sidhu (2025). Loose Smut of Wheat Grain and its Management: A Case Study of Ropar District. Biological Forum, 17(6): 129-131