Plant Pathalogy

About Department

Department of Plant Pathology was established in1961. Prior to it, research activities in Plant Pathology were being carried out in the Section of the Plant Pathologist to UP Government since 1920. Undergraduate teaching in the subject was initiated under Agricultural Botany in Government Agricultural College, Kanpur in 1921.The post-graduate teaching including Ph.D. by research was started for the first time in the country in 1945-46. The Government Agricultural College was upgraded as the U.P. Institute of Agricultural Sciences in 1969 and thereafter it became the constituent department of the College of Agriculture at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology in 1975.

Prior to establishment of UP Institute of Agricultural Sciences, the research activities were steered by able scientists of national repute like Sri P. K. Dey who was the first Plant Pathologist (1920-1945) in the Section of the Plant Pathologist to UP Government. Subsequent Plant Pathologists were Dr U. B. Singh (1946-49), Dr A. K. Mitra (March, 1949 – October 1949), Dr. P. R. Mehta (1949-1952), Dr. Babu Singh (1952-1953), Dr. R.S. Mathur (1953-1966 and 1968- 1969) and Dr. I. N. Tandon (1966-1968). Besides conducting researches on important crop diseases to evolve practical control measures for farmers, the Plant Pathologist and Assistant Plant Pathologists were also entrusted with the teaching of Plant Pathology to undergraduates in the Government Agricultural College, Kanpur.

Since the establishment of a separate department in 1961, Dr. H.K. Saksena (1961-82), Dr. I. N. Tandon (1982-85), J. Swarup (1985-96), D. V. Singh, (1996-99), R. P. Dwivedi (1999-2000), Dr. H. P. Shukla (2000-03), Dr. Kumud Kumar (2003-08), Dr. A. N. Mishra (2008-09), Dr. Jitendra Singh (2009-12),Dr. Rajendra Prasad (2012-15) and Dr. Ved Ratan (2015-19). Presently, Dr. Uma Kant Tripathi is the Head of the Department since 2019.

It has proud privilege of having produced so many brilliant scientists/ teachers/ administrators who have been heading several repute institutions / departments / universities / organizations of the country and serving the science of Plant Pathology. To name a few are Drs. Y. L. Nene, R. S. Singh, Kishan Singh. Akhtar Hussain, K. D. Parahia, B. B. Nagiach, Amerika Singh, D. V. Singh, Sita Ram Misra, R. P. Singh and Ram Nath, who became Vice Chancellor of the university and Dr. R. P. Singh is serving as Virologist in Research Station, Frediction, Canada.

• To serve as a centre for academic excellence in the area of graduate and postgraduate education in plant pathology
• To conduct basic and applied research leading to detection, identification and management of plant pathogens.
• To provide national leadership in plant pathological research through the development of new concepts and technologies.

• Excellence of knowledge about plant pathogens, solving and management of these problems in agriculture production.
• Provide the solutions for the management of plant pathogen in agriculture production.
• Excellence of
• Provide opportunities for the citizens of the state and the country for education in the field of Plant Pathology in its broad sense and to promote research, field and extension programmes in Plant Pathology.
• Strengthen UG and PG teaching through periodic revision of syllabi.
• Establish required infrastructure to conduct location specific research in the field of Plant Pathology.
• Generate technologies to protect the crops for improving the farm production and income to farmers.
• Provide opportunities for rural youth and women for learning and adoption of improved plant protection technologies

• To impart teaching in Plant Pathology at B.Sc. (Ag. & A.H) Hon., M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. levels.
• Survey and surveillance of plant diseases in the area jurisdiction of the university.
• Provide technical advice of plant disease management to farmers in the area jurisdiction of university.
• To screen out the seed samples of various crops for the presence of seed borne pathogens and to develop their detection methods, mechanism of infection and transmission and control.
• To recommend practical measures of plant disease control for adoption on the cultivator’s field through extension agencies of the university and the State of U.P.
• Besides, samples received at seed testing lab are also tested for the designated diseases for issuing the seed health certificate and phyto-sanitary certificate for the seeds/ planting materials/ packaging material meant for export. Inspections are carried out for PEQ facilities and objectionable diseases in flowers/ seeds/ planting materials in the importing units as per Seed Act 2006.
• To identify potential bioagents, workout their effectiveness and develop novel strains for the management of soil borne diseases.
• To establish bankability of mass multiplication of bioagents in the laboratory and subsequent release to farmers for biological control of pests and diseases.
• To develop crop specific biocontrol technology, validation and its dissemination at grass root level.
• To increase the shelf life and bio-efficacy of selective bioagents like: Trichoderma against soil borne diseases.
• Conduct research in order to improve crop productivity through biocontrol agents.
• To conduct the training programme on crop specific disease management through bio control agent and mass production Technology of bio control agents to progressive farmers, students, entrepreneurs and extension workers.
• To impart in-service training on management of diseases and mushroom production technology to extension workers, development staff, small entrepreneurs and progressive farmers etc.

Alumni of the Department become stalwarts nationally and internationally

The department has proud of having produced many brilliant students who had/have been heading top institutions / departments/ universities of the country and serving the science of plant pathology. To name a few are following:

List of students got placement during last Five years (2014-15 to 2019-20)

Award

Thrust Areas of Research

• Integrated management of biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Integrated pest management.
• Search for eco-friendly strategies for the management of crop diseases.
• Molecular diagnosis of plant pathogens.
• Search for resistant donors for developing resistant varieties.
• Search for bio-pesticidal properties in botanicals to be used for the disease management.
• Search for mushroom species/ strains adapted to prevailing climate in area jurisdiction of the university and development of their production technology.
• Development of new strain of mushroom through hybridization.
• Etiology and epidemiological studies of the new diseases with an aim to develop eco-friendly management.
• Biological control of crop diseases.

Research achievement

The research activities in the department are being carried out through various units viz., Bio Control Lab, Phyto- bacteriology, Plant Virology, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Seed Pathology and Nematology for finding out better and more effective eco-friendly management strategies against the disease of agricultural crops caused by plant pathogens.

A. Genetic stock of various crops is regularly screened out under natural as well as artificial condition of infection with an object to provide resistant donor for resistant breeding programme against disease and to assess the performance of released varieties. The department has provided resistant donor for developing following resistant moderately resistant varieties like in chickpea vars. Avrodhi, KWR108, Udai against root rot and wilt; wheat var. Deva against rust, var. Halna against Karnal Bunt ; barley var. Jyoti, Amber, Manjari, Haritma and Jagriti against smut and stripe disease; linseed var. Padmini and Rashmi against wilt; lentil var. Mallika against rust; field pea vars. Sapna and Swati, Rachna and Shikha against powdery mildew; pigeon pea var. KA-32-1 (Amar) and KA 91-25 (Azad) against sterility mosaic and wilt; vegetable pea Azad P-3 against powdery mildew; and paddy var. User 1 against bacterial blight and bacterial streak.

B. New chemicals and other eco-friendly methods are also screened regularly for their effectiveness in the management of plant disease caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes.

• General seed treatment with Thiram before sowing has been found beneficial for improving seed germinations and seedling emergence in all agricultural crops.
• Two sprays of Improdione (0.2%) one at 5% flowering and the second at completion of flowering proved effective in checking of Alternaria blight of rapeseed and mustard.
• A prophylactic spray with Dimethioate or methyl-o- demeton 1 litre or phosphamidon 250 ml. per hectare to check the insect vector on 21 day old crop was found to control the yellow vein mosaic and crinckle of urd and mungbean.
• Seed treatment of groundnut with carbofuran @3g/g seed along with application of phorate @2.0Kga.i/ha proved beneficial for the control of root knot nematode.
• Topsin M proved effective in controlling white rust of mustard.
• Intercropping of sesame and groundnut (1:1) and soil application of phorate was found best for controlling the bud necrosis disease.
• Seed treatment with Streptocycline (100ppm) followed by application of four sprays of Streptomycin +Blue Copper –50 (50ppm+500ppm) at 10 day intervals gave the best control of black root of mustard.
• Topsin M as spray (0.15%) proved they most effective fungicide in controlling downy mildew and rust of pea.
• Seed treatment with Topsin M (1g/kgseed), Apron, Jkstein (1.5g/kgseed) Bavistin 50 Bavistin 25SD (each 2g/kg seed) were found to eliminate seed borne infection of Macrophominaphaseolinain urdbean.
• Late blight of potato was effectively controlled by spraying with a combination of Streptocycline and copper oxy chloride (15ppm+2000ppm) at 10-day interval.
• Late sowing and tuber treatment with Emisan (0.25%) for 30 minutes were found effective in minimizing the Common Scab of potato. This disease was also effectively controlled by irrigating the potato field at 7- day interval.
• Seed treatment with Vitavax or Bavistin 2.0g/kg seed controls of loose smut disease in wheat and barley.
• Seed treatment with Vitavax(2g/kg seed) followed by soil drenching of Brassicol (0.2%) effectively controls root rot and seedling blight in wheat.
• Seed treatment with Bavistin or Vitavax followed by spraying with Topsin M or Benlate (0.2%) at 10 day intervals reduced the banded blight disease in paddy.
• Seed treatment with Bavistin, Difolatan or Captan or Indofil M 45 (each 2g/kg seed) checked seed borne pathogens responsible for reducing seed germination seedling emergence and increase germination by 1.3 to12.6% over control.
• Soaking of seed in Difolatan 80W or Thiram or Indofil M 45 (0.2%) for at least 24 hours was found to eradicate the seed borne infection of Alternariabrassicae with increase in germination and seedling vigour in mustard.
• Cheap and profitable production technology have been developed for the cultivation of paddy straw mush room , grown during summers and oyster (Dhingiri) and white button mushroom grown in winters by the scientist of the department. The department has been imparting training to the farmers and small entrepreneurs for the promotion of these edible mushroom production among the rural and urban populace of not only of this state like also form other states like M.P., Chhattisgarh Bihar and Jharkhand for the last 15 years thereby augmenting their income. By now more than 3000 farmers and unemployed youths and housewives have been trained free of cost. It is proposed to conduct seven six- day training programmes on it on payment basis. Through our efforts, at present 300 viable units on mushroom cultivation are on running in and around Kanpur city.

IDM Modules developed and Validated

• The studies on the isolation, identification and bio-efficacy of some of the bio-agents such as Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Paecilomyces spp. etc. against various pathogens of gram, vegetable pea, mustard, chilli, potato, guava, sunflower, groundnut, pigeonpea, blackgram, brinjal& okra have been initiated in the department. Production technology and formulations of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas spp., have been developed.
• Five IPM modules developed, base on occurrence of diseases, crop rotation, cropping system, soil types, socio-economic status etc. for management of chickpea wilt at different places of Uttar Pradesh.
• Applications of inorganic chemicals, secondary metabolites, plant extract and bio-agents as inducer in induced resistance against Fusarium wilt of tomato, brown leaf spot of paddy and spot blotch of wheat.
• 15th November is the optimum sowing date of sonalika, WH 147, HD 2329, K9107 and HUW 234 in respect to higher yield and low foliar disease incidence in Uttar Pradesh.
• Seed treatment with biocides and foliar spray with fungicide (Bavistin) against sheath blight and Zineb against brown leaf spot are the best management strategies.
• Integrated management practices of pigeon pea wilt using disease tolerant variety ICP 8858 and ST with Kalisena SD.
• Optimum time of sowing of lentil is 3rd week of October to reduced higher yield and low wilt incidence at Kanpur region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Developed suitable package using bio-fertilizers (soil application of mustard cake + tuber treatment and foliar spray with T. viride) for management of late blight of potato and increased crop yield Under Climate Change.

Patents Filed

• New methodology for “Production of pure Trichoderma spore with increased shelf life” has been developed and filled for patent (Indian Patent 201611014929) .This is also proved one of the cheapest methods for their preparation of Trichoderma bio formulation.
• “Novel method for preparation of Trichoderma bio-formulation using colloidal chitin” has been developed and filed for patent( Indian Patent File No201611014928)
• Developed the “Cheapest medium for quantitative isolation of microbes” and filled for the patent (Indian Patent File No201611014930)

New Pure Trichoderma Spore Production Technology

Pure Trichoderma spores found to be most effective in maintaining spore viability thereby increasing the shelf life. Formulation prepared by this method has given shelf life 2X 1012 even after 16 months and is cost-effective, which is a new finding. These spores when applied in field trial, given substantial amount of disease suppression and many fold increase in yield over control. These pure spores having better shelf life are potential and effective for longer survival and better growth. Pure spore harvesting methodology applied for patent.

Specific and accurate primers designed:

Molecular identification of ITS and tef markers were done with eighteen Trichoderma species, their submissions to National and International Data Bank were given below:

Note: Trichoderma viride strain code 01PP submitted at Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC), Chandigarh with accession No. MTCC-12450.

Culture Maintenance

Eighteen species of Trichoderma, diff. res of Trichoderma and more than ten plant pathogen culture maintained in lab.

Library of Trichoderma

Trichoderma Library was created for the first time with all possible parameters including production of secondary metabolites for identification and future reference of Trichoderma sp. and has put on University website- http://www.csauk.ac.in/nae.html

Video on Trichoderma Production Technology on You Tube

A video entitled “Trichoderma Production Technology (Th. Azad) developedunder ICAR NAE Programme” uploaded on YouTube in August 2015 for the first time for farmers to learn the technology for the preparation of bioformulations. https://www.youtube.com/ Trichoderma Production Technology (Th. Azad) developed under ICAR NAE Programme (more than 1.14 lakh viewers to till date).

Book

Scientific /technical Books written by Faculty Members in the Department

Organization of National and International seminar/ Symposia

Ved Ratan, U.K. Tripathi & Dr. S.K. Biswas (2017). Practical Manual on Detection and Diagnosis of Plant Diseases for M. Sc. (Ag), Plant Pathology were developed.

Practical Manual

• Ved Ratan, U.K. Tripathi & Dr. S.K. Biswas (2017). Practical Manual on Detection and Diagnosis of Plant Diseases for M. Sc. (Ag), Plant Pathology were developed.
• Practical Manual on Crop diseases and their management (2 volumes), Mushroom cultivation and Introductory Plant Pathology were developed.
• Udit Narain, Singh, J. Srivastava, M. and Biswas, S. K. (2003). Practical Manual on Introductory Plant Pathology, Army Printing Press, pp 35.

Folder

• A folder of Trichoderma (Hindi and English) published.

The following extension activities were undertaken by this department in and outside of the college campus in coordination with the other extension workers, workers/ officials of the University and field staff.

Training to the Cultivators and field staff

The specialists of Plant Pathology and Extension Pathologist have actively participated and took active part in all the farmers day and kisan gosthi organized by University at Daleep Nagar, Raibareli, Fatehpur, Lakhimpur khiri, Hardoi, Firozabad, Aligrah, Mainpuri, Farukhabad, Kasganj and Etawah in Rabi and Kharif seasons. Training regarding identification of fungal, bacterial, viral and nematode diseases of crop plants and practical methods of control had also been given at Block Levels in Kanpur district. Such training and demonstrations were also given to students and farmers during N.S.S. campus organized in Kanpur district. The importance of plant diseases and their control was displayed through live disease specimens, charts, photographs and posters in Agricultural Exhibitions at Kanpur and other places for the benefit of cultivators. Pamphlets covering technical information on plant diseases and their control were also distributed to the cultivators at such occasions Extension workers and development staff visiting this University under in-service programme had also been given practical training in plant diseases and their control in this department.

Plant disease Surveys

Routine surveys were conducted in farmer’s field for recording the development of different plant diseases. Vigilance was also kept on the appearance of newer diseases. Cultivators were guided for taking up timely control measures against the diseases.

Mushroom production

The department continued the programme for the promotion of cultivation of edible mushrooms among urban and rural population by imparting training and supplying spawn material through Mushroom Research and Development Centre. The details have been given below.

Training imparted to the farmers/ unemployed youth

Every month one week training on Mushroom cultivation technology was organized for farmers, employed youths, entrepreneurs. Consequently the awareness and the production of mushroom in and around Kanpur city and other cities of U.P. are increasing successfully.

Organized training: more than 100

Spawn Bottles supplied: 1355

Spawn Kits supplied: 248

• Training on “The role of secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma spp. in the management of diseases” was conducted at Department of Plant Pathology, CSA University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur from 23^rd February to 22^nd April, 2010.
• Training on “Isolation of antifungal metabolites from bio-agent & its role in diseases management” held at Department of Plant Pathology CSA University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur from 19^th August to 18^th October, 2010.
• Training on “Extraction of secondary metabolites from bio-agent & its role in diseases management” held at Department of Plant Pathology CSA University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur from 12th August to 11^st November, 2011.

Extension Literatures:

Literature on mushroom cultivation and important plant diseases together with their control were distributed to the visitors. Dr. S. K. Biswas Professor has been serving as Master Trainer.

Trichoderma Biopesticide production

The department runs the programme for the production, supply and training programme for farmer and government agencies through Bio Control Lab Unit established in Department of Plant Pathology.

Facilities develop in Bio Control Lab

• Trichoderma Biopesticide Sale: Rs. 127/- Kg
• Biopesticide sample Testing: Rs. 500/-sample (Govt.)
  Rs. 2500/- Sample (Pvt.)
• Training Programme: Module I/II/III/IV/V

Module I- Detection and diagnosis of plant pathogens (01 month): Rs. 8000/-

Module II- Phenotypic Characterization 02 months: Rs. 15000/-

Module III- Biochemical aspects of plant samples 03 month: Rs. 15000/-

Module IV- Biological control of pathogens 03 months: Rs. 15000/-

Module V- Trichoderma production and its uses 06 days: Rs. 1000/-

On Going and Completed Schemes/Projects

• Department of Plant Pathology
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Sponsored Adhoc project entitled “Evaluation of linseed germplasm for major biotic stress (Alternaria blight and linseed bud fly) in 2020-2025.(Ongoing)
• Project in Mushroom Research and Development Center
• Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yozna (RKVY) Sponsored Adhoc project entitled “Strengthening of spawn production and mushroom research unit to popularize the Mushroom cultivation in Uttar Pradesh. (2017-18).
• Project in Bio- control lab
• Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yozna (RKVY) Sponsored Adhoc project entitled “Strengthening of Bio-Control Lab for mass production of Trichoderma based fungicide” in 2019-2020. (Ongoing).
• Uttar Pradesh council of Science & Technology, Lucknow sponsored adhoc project entitled “In- silico Approaches in improvising novel strain of Trichoderma spp. in 2016-2019. (Completed)
• Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi sponsored adhoc project under Women Scientist Scheme entitled “Development of novel bio-formulations with increased shelf life for the management of soil borne pathogens” in 2015- 2018. (Completed)
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research sponsored adhoc project entitled “Exploration and Exploitation of Trichoderma as antagonist against soil borne pathogens” in 2011-2016. (Completed).

• Phytosanitary Certificate facility available to the exporters of agriculture commodities.
• Provide Advisory service to regular participation of the scientists in the monthly meetings of State Level Pest Surveillance Advisory Committee.
• Provide Advisory service to regular participation of the scientists in the preparation of Rabi, Kharifand Zaid organized by Directorate of Agriculture, UP Government.
• Scientists of the Department used to participate in the meetings, gosthies and KisanMela organized by the District Agriculture Officer, Plant Protection Officer, Deputy Director (Plant Protection)etc.
• Provided advisory services to the farmers on plant disease related problems.
• Regular participation and solved the quarries of the farmers in monthly meeting of Chandra Shekhar Krishak Samiti
• Production of Trichoderma Biopesticide and supply to the farmers and govt. agencies Facilities available in Bio Control Unit.
• Government and Private Biopesticide sample Testing facilities available in Bio Control unit.
• Training of biopesticide production and its uses to students, farmers, agri- enterpenurers available in bio control lab unit.
• Training of Mushroom production to students, farmers, agri- enterpenurers available in Mushroom research and development centre.
• Preparation of spawn and supply to the mushroom growers available in Mushroom research and development centre

Undergraduate Courses: (As per Vth deans committee)

Postgraduate Courses: (As per IVth deans committee)

Postgraduate Courses: as per IIIrd deans committee

Name	:	Prof. Mukesh Sirvastava
Date of Birth	:	08-01-1965
Designation	:	Professor
Department	:	Department of Plant Pathology
College& Univ.	:	College of Agriculture, C. S. Azad Univ. of Agri. & Tech. , Kanpur
Contact Info
Office Info			Personal Info
Phone : 0512-2557641 Mobile:9839818899 Email : sri.mukesh0801@gmail.com			Phone : 0512-2557641 Mobile:9839818899 Email :sri.mukesh0801@gmail.com

Organ gram of the Department of Plant Pathology (Officer and Employee)

Short term programme (1-3 years)

• Strengthening of UG, PG and Ph.D. Lab
• Modernization of UG and PG Class Room.
• Renovation of Glasshouse and Net House.
• Strengthening of Bio Control Lab for mass production of biopesticide.
• Different types of training will be conducted for unemployed youth, entrepreneurs and farmers.
• Different types of analytical services regarding plant pathogens and bioagents.
• Adaptation of UG and PG courses as per Dean Committee recommendation time to time.
• One to six months certificate courses on mushroom cultivation and biopesticide formulations.

Midterm programme (3-5 years)

• Strengthening of research specific lab like Phytobacteriology lab, Seed pathology lab, Nematology lab and Plant virology lab.
• Management of agrowastes by using modern technology.
• Long term programme (more than 5 years)
• Exploration of novel bio-pesticide formulation for management of soil borne pathogens.

The swot analysis of any organization is necessary for highlighting strength, weakness, opportunity; threatening therefore the swot analysis of dept. of plant pathology is given below:

STRENGTH

• Well trained and highly qualified faculty.
• Well equipped infrastructure for proper teaching.
• Five books on different aspect of plant pathology have been published by faculty of department.
• Number of alumni like Dr. K.D. Pahadia, Dr. R. S. Singh, Dr. D. N. Srivastava, Dr. S .R. Mishra, Dr. Ram Nath and Dr. Akhtar Hussain etc. has been hold the key post in the country as well as abroad.
• Most of the student’s pass out from the department holding important post in the field of plant protection.
• Forty seven students awarded M. Sc. degree during last five years.
• Eleven students awarded Ph. D. degree during last five years.
• Conducted one zonal conference of Indian Phytopathological Society for Mid eastern zone(MEZ) during 26-26 Nov. 2019.
• Three patents have been filed from biocontrol lab of the department.
• Two research project have been completed and three are running.

WEAKNESS

• Shortages of faculty create a great problem in Teaching, research and Extension activities.
• Old infrastructure including equipments affect of the quality education, research and other activity of the department.
• Lack of financial is a great problem to run teaching, research and extension work properly.

OPPORTUNITY

• We can produce a good quality education at UG and PG level students.
• A high quality need base research work may be conducted.
• Deferent type of resource generation may be developed.
• Department is able to trend the farmers, unemployed youth to improve their entrepreneurship capability.

THREAT

• Effect of teaching due to shortage of facility.
• Non viability of fund will affect teaching, research and academic activities of the department.