Future Strategies
The department is adequately equipped with State-of-the-art research facilities to carry out advanced research. The Doctoral and Masters research are carried out in all major areas of Plant Pathology: Mycology, Bacteriology, Plant Virology, Molecular Plant Pathology, development of integrated disease management strategies for major diseases, Identification of resistant donors for breeding programme, Disease forecasting, Biological control, Mushroom technology, Seed pathology and Post harvest Pathology. The research activity is being supported by various funding agencies like Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, University Grant Commission, Government of India, Medicinal Plants Board, Private companies and Foreign Agency projects viz.,. USAID and AUSAID. The following are their thrust areas of research
- Identification of resistant sources for major crop diseases to be used for resistant breeding programme.
- Isolation of different species and strains of biocontrol agents effective against major crop diseases and developing suitable delivery systems.
- Genetic improvement of biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma viride ( asperellum), Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Chaetomium globosum, Ampelomyces quisqualis, Beauveria bassiana etc.
- Identification of effective botanicals for the management of major crop diseases and development of formulations.
- Identification, characterization and cloning of useful genes from plants and microbes and development of transgenic disease resistant plants using genetic engineering techniques.
- Exploiting somaclonal variation for developing disease resistant cultivars.
- Development of techniques for processing of seeds, grains, fruits and vegetables free from pathogens.
- Developing integrated techniques for the management of crop diseases using botanicals, biopesticides, antiviral compounds and chemicals.
- Diagnosis and molecular biology of plant viruses.
- Development of computer models for forecasting of diseases.
- Exploration of wild mushrooms and their biomolecules for plant and human health.
Extension Activities
- Imparting training to Agricultural extension functionaries on disease surveillance, management of crop diseases and
- To provide plant clinic service to
- Development and distribution of Trichoderma viride ( asperellum), Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Beauveria bassiana for ecofriendly management of crop diseases.
- Imparting training to the extension personnel, farmers and NGOs on mushroom cultivation technologies.
- Supplying the bed spawn, mother spawns and cultures to mushroom growers regularly.
Training Programmes
- Mushroom cultivation technology: One day training (every month on 5th) and Five-day training (Upon request)
- Mass production of biocontrol agents (Upon request).