Introduction

Course Description

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.

Course Content

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

Course Audience