Dear Manoj, there are two reasons for causing chaffy panicles in rice. (1) If occurred in patches and easily come out when pulled, it is due to infestation by yellow stem borer (cutting or boring of base of the panicles by the insect). (2) If occur in the whole field uniformly, chaffy panicles are caused by moisture stress (water deficit in field soil) at critical growth stage (flowering and grain filling stage) of the crop.

Besides reason (1) stated by Dilip Kumar, there coul be an attack of rice blast at panicle neck node. Regards.

Greetings and thanks, Drs. Kundu, Sawika and Osuna. I appreciate your responses.