The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) had its genesis from establishment of an Agricultural School at Saidapet, Madras, Tamil Nadu, as early as 1868 and it was later relocated at Coimbatore.
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Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
Prelude
- The research needed to comprehend the causes of plant diseases are the prime objective in the field of Plant Pathology. Thedoctoral programme emphases on the biology, etiology, host-pathogeninteraction and management of plant diseases caused by the plant pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and phytoplasma.
- Ph.D. programme explores a wide range of significant plant diseases using applied/field and laboratory/molecular methods. The students will have the chance to work with all the labs available so they may become familiar with scientifically advanced techniques and methods of each lab.
- To build a strong foundation in plant microbial interactions, the coursesare designed which includes hands on training in fundamental and applied plant science. The research guides will help them select elective classes that will help them to develop their expertise in subjects pertaining to their preferred line of study for plant-microberesearch. Additionally, it conducts research on pertinent and contemporary agricultural concerns and offers the farming community the necessary farm counsel on biotic issues.
Why this programme?
- The ability to feed the global population, environmental stewardship and sustainability are all directly or indirectly impacted by modern and progressive technological research on plant diseases and host-pathogen interactions.
- Students will learn to identify and characterize the main pathological clinical issues prevalent in the country and will reason-out the underlying ecological and economic criteria.
- This Ph.D. programme will be enticing the students those who want to upscale their analytical potential in the field of Plant Pathology.
Study Programme
- The Ph.D. in Plant Pathology provides broad training in the microbial sciences through core and elective classes and in-depth research training opportunities in molecular, geneticand ecological aspects of microbes
- Students are privileged in choosing a permanent lab and a research scientist, students gain deeper knowledge of the research area in thelab by getting involved in all aspects of the project including preparation of research hypotheses, writing proposals, supervising junior researchers, creating and carrying out tests and assays, and taking part in lab discussions.
- With the guidance and concurrence of their guides students may design, carry out, and publish their original research projects on their own.
Colleges offering
The Ph.D. programme in Plant Pathology is being offered at the following two different campuses.
- AC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore
- AC&RI, Madurai
Application and Admission
- For the Ph.D. program, a master's degree in Plant Pathology is required. Qualifying in the entrance exam is essential criteria.
- Find out more about the specific Admission requirements and the application procedures in https://tnau.ac.in. Students are always welcome to contact Plant Pathology Department in TNAU in person or 0422-6611226 for one-on-one introduction to some of the top scientists in the field.
Future Career
- Ph.D. in Plant Pathology can find ample career openings both in India as well as overseas. The main role of a plant pathologist is to identify and to cure the diseases in plants. Professionals in Plant Pathology use modern scientific equipment and techniques to prevent diseases occurring in plants.
- The career opportunities for these professionals may arise in areas of teaching, research, Plant Pathologist, Professor, Consultant at district and state level.
- Employment opportunities are also available in areas like research, product development, sales, teaching, extension, administration, regulatory work, and private practice etc., wherever plant diseases involved
Doctorate in Plant Pathology course
Doctoral Courses
- After admission, students will undertake courses to understand basics and applications of Plant Pathology as per the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) with a total credit load of 100 credits, of which 75credits are exclusively earmarked for their Thesis Research.
Doctoral thesis research
- After completing the courses in the first year, the students start their thesis research based on the researchable issues identified through the brainstorming session involving external experts. Each student is assigned to an experienced faculty, approved by the Dean of School of Post-Graduate Studies, who would guide the student on his/ her choice of research topic.
Research internship
Students are exposed to hands-on-experience with tools and techniques, exchange visits within and outside the country, participation in the international and symposia and conferences besides workshops. Many are encouraged to have internships in other institutes for a couple of months, either in India or abroad based on the theme area of research.
Student Experiences
Shanmugapriya, D.
Here shanmuga Priya, pursuing Ph.D. in Plant Pathology. I would like to share few words about the Department of Plant Pathology. TNAU is the leading agricultural university in India with wide variety of branches and well-specialized faculty. TNAU faculty and students majorly contribute for the welfare of the farming community and scholars are finding solution to many unsolved problems to the research thirst. Here about our department Plant Pathology, which is well equipped with high tech instruments, required for advanced research from detection to diagnosis in the field of disease management. My current research work is on development of microbial consortia for managing major soil borne diseases in glory lily funded by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) – GOI, New Delhi. I can able to work at an advanced level in my research due to constant support and ideas received from my well experienced faculties, which will help me for my future career. I can proudly say that I am a product of TNAU!
Sivagnanapazham, K.
Myself K. SIVAGNANAPAZHAM pursuing III Ph.D (Plant Pathology) in Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, TNAU, Coimbatore. I have completed my Masters in Plant Pathology during 2018 – 2020. In my course work, I have attained wider knowledge in various aspects of Plant Pathology (Mycology, Virology, Bacteriology, Biological control, Disease resistance in plants, Seed health Technology, Diseases of crop plants, Plant Quarantine etc).I have also became expertise in diagnosis, documentation and characterization of Plant Pathogens. My research work was on “Management of Cabbage head rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) using novel biocontrol agent (Coniothyriumminitans)”. I could able to publish my research work in peer reviewed well reputed journal “Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control”.I have qualified for ICAR SRF; cleared ASRB mains and ICAR NET in Plant Pathology due to constant support and encouragement of faculty. The well established laboratories with high tech instrument facilities which helped me to learn many advanced techniques / tools for Plant Pathology research. Based on sound knowledge with excellent mentors, my department is flourishing with several externally funded projects. Hence I got student Senior Research Fellowship from an externally funded project (DST – SERB) to pursue my Ph.D on “Pathogenomics of emerging whitefly transmitted begomoviruses of cucurbitaceous crops in Tamil Nadu: Characterization of ecologically diverse begomoviruses and population dynamics of whitefly biotypes in virus transmission”. It is a great opportunity for my future carrier.
Alumni Experiences
Dr. S. Babu
Professor and Dean
VIT School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning (VAIAL)
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
My Ph.D period at the Department of Plant Pathology, TNAU Coimbatore was the ever memorable golden period of my learning and training in the research domain of the subject, as well as my personality development. We popularly refer it as Lab 20, the place where I spent 3+ years working day and night during my Ph.D with lots of love and involvement in the subject. It was an eye-opening experience in molecular plant pathology research. The motivation and guidance towards high impact research and publications, and international networking helped me later to achieve successful post-doctoral research career in five Universities in three foreign countries – France, Canada, and the USA. I have been hailed by my current students and colleagues for my confidence level as a good teacher and innovative researcher. I credit my success to my mother institute TNAU. Thank You TNAU!
Salah EddinKhabbaz, Ph. D.,
I am a Research Scientist for over 15 years with extensive experience in soil and plant disease, plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology of plant growth promotion rhizobacteria (PGPR), and applied research projects in agricultural sciences. I was the luckiest students who joined a post-graduate program at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India, between 2000-2006. I obtained my Master of Science (M.Sc. 2000-2002) and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees (Ph.D., 2003-2006) from the Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies (CPPS), TNAU. Throughout my study years, I acquired valuable knowledge about plant pathology, plant diseases diagnosis and management, biocontrol, and biotechnology. The department was well-equipped and teaching and performing advanced searches are synergistic with each other to perform cutting-edge research. I am eternally grateful to all professors and staff at TNAU, and to all my fabulous classmates for all they did, which I will never forget.
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