Department of Plant Pathology

The Department has been established in April, 1970, with the main objective of teaching, research and extension in the subject of plant pathology and carry out need based research as per need of the region Three hundred fifty and twenty seven students of M.Sc (Ag.) and Ph.D respectively secured the degree from this department. More than 500 research articles published in National and International Journals. This department has qualified faculty. Most of the staff members are having Doctorate degree from reputed institutions in the country.

Research work on grey mildew of cotton, ergot of sorghum, grain mold of sorghum, management of Betelvine diseases and management of Phytophthora in citrus with integrated approach have been recognized at national and international level.

Implementation of ICAR Syllabus recommended by the National Core Group from the academic year 2009 -10.
Department is also engaged in commercial production of biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, quick decomposing culture and mushroom spawn.

The department has the biopesticide production and testing lab.

Courses Offered

=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.)
=> Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D)

Research & Development / Topic

Research Activities/Achievements

Major Research theme were approved as per ARC and work carried on major problems on Phytophthora of Citrus, Indexing root stalk staining, Grey mildew of cotton .Research work on various problems on Pulses ,Oilseeds, Sorghum, Soybean, Wheat, Sugarcane, Linseed and Sesame etc. is being carried out at their relative research station. Department has developed a technology for decomposition of Agriculture waste within 90 days. PEQ for DIA Ministry of Agril and Co-op and NHM Govt. of Maharashtra has funded Rs. 1.25 crore for establishment in the year 2006 .

Research Recommendations (Approved in AGRESCO)

Department has made more than 160 recommendations on the basis of experiments for the benefits of the cultivations, some notable are

=> Plant protection schedule for control of sooty mould and Phytophthora in citrus with integrated approach
=> Status of ergot and grain mold of sorghum
=> Schedule for control of leaf curl and dieback of chilli
=> Integrated management of Betelvine wilt
=> Control of powdery mildew of mung, udid, pea, mango, ber and roses.
=> Experiments for solution to the various emergent aspects are carried out every on the basis of feedback and mandate of the co-ordinate projects.
=> Two species of oyster mushroom Pleurotus sajorcaju and P. floroda are recommended for cultivation in Vidarbha
=> Developed cylinder method for oyster mushroom production
=> Management of soil borne diseases by use of different antagonists
=> Management of Phytophthora root rot in citrus

Infrastructure

The Department has two class room-2, three laboratories and has number of sophisticated instrument like Laminar Air Flow, Deep Fridge, Centrifuge, Nitrogen estimator, Electronic Balance, Plant Growth Chamber, PCR Machine, Gel Electrophoresis Unit, and Lyophilizer etc.