Integrated Disease Management

Billion dollars of crop loss is caused by plant diseases worldwide each year. No single disease management strategy is applicable to all plant pathogens. Factors like modern agricultural practices and climate change helped in evolution of new pathogen races. Farmers depend heavily on synthetic pesticides to manage plant diseases. Indiscriminate use of such chemicals has harmed all life forms. Integrated disease management (IDM) strategies advocate managing plant diseases with minimal use of synthetic pesticides. However, IDM strategies are based on understanding the pathogen etiology, diversity and evolution. Genomics of plant pathogens contributed to understanding of pathogen diversity and evolution. Additionally, biotechnological tools supported management of pathogens against whom resistant source is not available in cultivated species. Therefore, the IDM course is designed to give a clear picture of plant pathogens; processes of disease development; management of some important cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables and oilseed diseases; and approaches of plant disease management utilizing genomics and biotechnological tools.

Week 1: Principles and components of plant disease development

Week 2: Principles and components of plant disease management

Week 3: Integrated management of major diseases of field crops

Week 4: Integrated management of major diseases of pulses and vegetables

Week 5: Integrated management of major diseases of fruit crops

Week 6: Applications of genomics and biotechnology for plant disease management

• UG and PG Students of Agriculture and allied sciences

• Faculty of SAUs

• Agriculture Scientists in ICAR

• Professionals in State Department of Agriculture

• Specialists working in KVKs

• NGOs in Agriculture

• Progressive farmers/ Farming community

• Climate change and plant diseases
• Emerging plant pathogens
• Host resistance
• Biotechnology and plant disease management
• R-gene mediated host resistance
• Genomics in plant disease management

Qualifying students will be given certificates based on their involvement and performance. Participation certificate and Competency certificate will be issued by Center for Development of Technical Education, IIT Kanpur and Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada.