M.Sc. in Plant Pathology

 M.Sc. in Plant Pathology

PLANT PATHOLOGY 

Course Structure – at a Glance 

• COURSE TITLE 
• INTRODUCTORY MYCOLOGY 
• INTRODUCTORY VIROLOGY 
• INTRODUCTORY BACTERIOLOGY 
• PRINCIPLES OF PLANT PATHOLOGY                  
• DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF PLANT DISEASES 
• PRINCIPLES OF PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT           
• DISEASES OF FIELD CROPS                                                  
• DISEASES OF FRUITS, PLANTATION, ORNAMENTAL 
• AND MEDICINAL CROPS                                                    
• DISEASES OF VEGETABLE AND SPICES CROPS           
• SEED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY          
• CHEMICALS IN PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT 
• ECOLOGY OF SOIL-BORNE PLANT PATHOGENS 
• DISEASE RESISTANCE IN PLANTS 
• INSECT VECTORS OF PLANT VIRUSES  AND OTHER PATHOGENS   
• BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES 
• INTEGRATED DISEASE MANAGEMENT 
• EPIDEMIOLOGY AND FORECASTING OF PLANT 
• DISEASES 
• POST HARVEST DISEASES PLANT QUARANTINE        
• MASTER’S SEMINAR 
• MASTER’S RESEARCH                 
• ADVANCED MYCOLOGY 
• ADVANCED VIROLOGY 
• ADVANCED BACTERIOLOGY 
• MOLECULAR BASIS OF HOST-PATHOGEN 
• INTERACTION 
• DOCTORAL SEMINAR I 
• DOCTORAL SEMINAR II 
• DOCTORAL RESEARCH                  

 

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PLANT PATHOLOGY 

Course Contents 

 

INTRODUCTORY MYCOLOGY 

Objective 

• To study the nomenclature, classification and characters of fungi. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Introduction, definition of different terms, basic concepts. 
• UNIT II 
• Importance of mycology in agriculture, relation of fungi to human affairs, history of mycology. 
• UNIT III 
• Fungal biodiversity, reproduction in fungi, Concepts of nomenclature and classification 
• UNIT IV 
• The comparative morphology, ultrastructure, characters of different groups of fungi up to generic level: 
• i) Chytridiomycota
• ii) Zygomycota, 
• iii) Ascomycota,
• iv) Basidiomycota, 
• v) Deuteromycota. 
• vi)Oomycota. 
• Lichens types and importance, Mycorrhiza, types and importance. Practical 
• Detailed comparative study of different groups of fungi; collection, identification and preservation of specimens. Identification of plant pathogenic fungi. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Ainsworth GC, Sparrow FK & Susman HS. 1973. The Fungi – An Advanced Treatise. Vol. IV (A & B). Academic Press, New York.
• Alexopoulos CJ, Mims CW & Blackwell M.2000. Introductory Mycology. 5th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
• Mehrotra RS & Arneja KR. 1990. An Introductory Mycology. Wiley Eastern, New Delhi. 
• Sabay AK. 2000. Text book of Mycology. ICAR, New Delhi. 
• Singh RS. 1982. Plant Pathogens – The Fungi. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Webster J. 1980. Introduction to Fungi. 2nd Ed. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, New York. 

 

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INTRODUCTORY PLANT VIROLOGY

Objective 

• To acquaint with the structure, virus-vector relationship, biology and management of plant viruses. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• History of plant viruses, shape, size, composition, structure and physical properties of viruses. 
• UNIT II 
• Symptomatology of important plant viral diseases, transmission, virus vector relationship. 
• UNIT III 
• Virus nomenclature and classification, genome organization, replication and movement of viruses. 
• UNIT IV 
• Isolation and purification, electron microscopy, protein and nucleic acid based diagnostics. 
• UNIT V 
• Mycoviruses, phytoplasma arbo and baculoviruses, satellite viruses, satellite RNAs, phages, viroids, prions.                          
• UNIT VI 
• Mechanism of resistance, genetic engineering and management of plant viruses. 

 

Practical 

• Study of symptoms caused by viruses, transmission, assay of viruses, physical properties, purification, serological tests 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Bos L. 1964. Symptoms of Virus Diseases in Plants. Oxford & IBH., New Delhi. 
• Brunt AA, Crabtree K, Dallwitz MJ, Gibbs AJ & Watson L. 1995. Virus of Plants: 
• Descriptions and Lists from VIDE Database. CABI,Wallington.
• Gibbs A & Harrison B. 1976. Plant Virology - The Principles. Edward Arnold, London. 
• Hull R. 2002. Mathew’s Plant Virology. 4th Ed. Academic Press, New York. 
• Noordam D. 1973. Identification of Plant Viruses, Methods and Experiments. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi.

 

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INTRODUCTORY PLANT BACTERIOLOGY 

Objective 

• To acquaint yourself with plant pathogenic prokaryotes (prokarya) and their structure, nutritional requirements, survival and dissemination. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• History and introduction to phytopathogenic prokaryotes, viz., bacteria, MLOs, spiroplasmas and other fastidious prokaryotes. Importance of phytopathogenic bacteria  
• UNIT II 
• Bacterial cell structure, shape, size, flagellation, etc 
• UNIT III 
• Classification and nomenclature of phytopathogenic prokaryotes 
• UNIT IV 
• Growth, nutrition requirements, reproduction, preservation of bacterial cultures and variability among phytopathogenic bacteria. 
• UNIT V 
• General biology of bacteriophages, L form bacteria, plasmids and bdellovibrios. 
• UNIT VI 
• Prokaryotic inhibitors and their mode of action against phytopathogenic bacteria. 
• UNIT VII 
• Survival and dissemination of phytopathogenic bacteria. 

 

Practical: 

• Isolation, purification, identification and host inoculation of phytopathogenic bacteria, staining methods, biochemical characterization, use of antibacterial chemicals/antibiotics. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Goto M. 1990. Fundamentals of Plant Bacteriology. Academic Press, New York. 
• Jayaraman J & Verma JP. 2002. Fundamentals of Plant Bacteriology. Kalyani Publ., Ludhiana. 
• Mount MS & Lacy GH. 1982. Phytopathogenic Prokaryotes. Vols. I, II. Academic Press, New York. 
• Verma JP, Varma A & Kumar D. (Eds). 1995. Detection of Plant Pathogens and their Management. Angkor Publ., New Delhi.
• Verma JP. 1998. The Bacteria. Malhotra Publ. House, New Delhi. 

 

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PRINCIPLES OF PLANT PATHOLOGY   

Objective 

• To introduce the subject of Plant Pathology, its concepts and principles. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Importance, definitions and concepts of plant diseases, history and growth of plant pathology, biotic and abiotic causes of plant diseases. 
• UNIT II 
• Growth, reproduction, survival and dispersal of important plant pathogens, role of environment and host nutrition on disease development. 
• UNIT III 
• Host parasite interaction, recognition concept and infection, symptomatology, disease development- role of enzymes, toxins, growth regulators; defense strategies- oxidative burst; Phenolics, Phytoalexins, PR proteins, Elicitors. Altered plant metabolism as affected by plant pathogens. 
• UNIT IV 
• Genetics of resistance; ‘R’ genes; mechanism of genetic variation in pathogens; molecular basis for resistance; marker-assisted selection; genetic engineering for disease resistance. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Agrios GN. 2005. Plant Pathology. 5th Ed. Academic Press, New York. 
• Heitefuss R & Williams PH. 1976. Physiological Plant Pathology. Springer Verlag, Berlin, New York. 
• Mehrotra RS & Aggarwal A. 2003. Plant Pathology. 2nd Ed. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Singh RS. 2002. Introduction to Principles of Plant Pathology. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. Singh DP & Singh A. 2007. Disease and Insect Resistance in Plants. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Upadhyay RK & Mukherjee KG. 1997. Toxins in Plant Disease Development and Evolving Biotechnology. Oxford & IBH, NewDelhi.

 

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DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF PLANT DISEASES 

Objective

• To impart training on various methods/techniques/instruments used in the study of plant diseases/pathogens. 

 

Practical: 

• UNIT I 
• Methods to prove Koch’s postulates with biotroph and necrotroph pathogens, pure culture techniques, use of selective media to isolate pathogens.
• UNIT II 
• Preservation of disease specimens, use of haemocytometer, micrometer, centrifuge, pH meter, camera lucida. 
• UNIT III 
• Microscopic techniques and staining methods, phase contrast system, spectrophotometer. In vitro evaluation of fungicides, bactericides etc. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Baudoin ABAM, Hooper GR, Mathre DE & Carroll RB. 1990. Laboratory Exercises in Plant Pathology: An Instructional Kit. Scientific Publ.,Jodhpur.
• Dhingra OD & Sinclair JB. 1986. Basic Plant Pathology Methods. CRC Press, London, Tokyo. 
• Fox RTV. 1993. Principles of Diagnostic Techniques in Plant Pathology. CABI Wallington. 
• Mathews REF. 1993. Diagnosis of Plant Virus Diseases. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Tokyo. 
• Pathak VN. 1984. Laboratory Manual of Plant Pathology. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. Forster D & Taylor SC. 1998. Plant Virology Protocols: From Virus Isolation to Transgenic Resistance. Methods in Molecular Biology.Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey.
• Matthews REF. 1993. Diagnosis of Plant Virus Diseases. CRC Press, Florida. 
• Noordam D. 1973. Identification of Plant Viruses, Methods and Experiments. Cent. Agic. Pub. Doc. Wageningen.
• Trigiano RN, Windham MT & Windham AS. 2004. Plant Pathology- Concepts and Laboratory Exercises. CRC Press, Florida.
• Chakravarti BP. 2005. Methods of Bacterial Plant Pathology. Agrotech, Udaipur. 

 

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PRINCIPLES OF PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Objectives 

• To acquaint with different strategies for management of plant diseases. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Principles of plant disease management by cultural, physical, biological, chemical, organic amendments and botanicals methods of plant disease control, integrated control measures of plant diseases. Disease resistance and molecular approach for disease management. 
• UNIT II 
• History of fungicides, bactericides, concepts of pathogen immobilization, chemical protection and chemotherapy, nature, properties and mode of action of antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral chemicals. 
• UNIT III 
• Foliage, seed and soil application of chemicals, role of stickers, spreaders and other adjuvants, health vis-a-vis environmental hazards, residual effects and safety measures. 

 

Practical 

• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of chemicals against plant pathogens; ED and MIC values, study of structural details of sprayers and dusters. 
• Suggested Readings 
• Fry WE. 1982. Principles of Plant Disease Management. Academic Press, New York. 
• Hewitt HG. 1998. Fungicides in Crop Protection. CABI, Wallington. 
• Marsh RW. 1972. Systemic Fungicides. Longman, New York. 
• Nene YL & Thapliyal PN. 1993. Fungicides in Plant Disease Control. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Palti J. 1981. Cultural Practices and Infectious Crop Diseases. Springer- Verlag, New York. 
• Vyas SC. 1993 Handbook of Systemic Fungicides. Vols. I-III. Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi. 

 

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DISEASES OF FIELD CROPS

Objective 

• To educate about the nature, prevalence, etiology, factors affecting disease development and control measures of field and medicinal crop diseases. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Diseases of Cereal crops- wheat, rice, pearl millet, sorghum and maize. 
• UNIT II 
• Diseases of Pulse crops- gram, urdbean, mungbean, lentil, pigeonpea, soybean. 
• UNIT III 
• Diseases of Oilseed crops- rapeseed and mustard, sesame, linseed, sunflower, groundnut. 
• UNIT IV 
• Diseases of Cash crops- cotton, sugarcane, jute. 
• UNIV V 
• Diseases of Fodder legume crops- berseem, lucerne, cowpea. 

 

Practical 

• Detailed study of symptoms of important diseases of above mentioned crops. Collection and dry preservation of diseased specimens of important crops. Microscopic study of important pathogens. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Joshi LM, Singh DV & Srivastava KD. 1984. Problems and Progress of Wheat Pathology in South Asia. Malhotra Publ. House, New Delhi.
• Rangaswami G. 1999. Diseases of Crop Plants in India. 4th Ed.. Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi. 
• Ricanel C, Egan BT, Gillaspie Jr AG & Hughes CG. 1989. Diseases of Sugarcane, Major Diseases. Academic Press, New York.
• Singh RS. 1998. Plant Diseases. 7th Ed. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Singh US, Mukhopadhyay AN, Kumar J & Chaube HS. 1992. Plant Diseases of Internatiobnal Importance. Vol. I. Diseases of Cereals and Pulses. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

 

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DISEASES OF FRUITS, PLANTATION AND ORNAMENTAL CROPS

Objective 

• To acquaint with diseases of fruits, plantation, ornamental plants and their management. Theory 
• UNIT I 
• Introduction, symptoms, etiology, perpetuation and management of different fruit diseases like apple, pear, strawberry, citrus, mango, grapes, guava, banana, pineapple, papaya. 
• UNIT II 
• Introduction, symptoms, etiology, perpetuation and management of diseases of plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber and coconut. 
• UNIT III 
• Introduction, symptoms, etiology, perpetuation and management of ornamental plants such as roses, gladiolus, carnation, marigold, chrysanthemum. 

 

Practical 

• Detailed study of symptoms of representative diseases of plantation crops. Collection and dry preservation of diseased specimens of important crops. Microscopic study of important pathogens. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Gupta VK &.Sharma SK. 2000. Diseases of Fruit Crops. Kalyani Publ., New Delhi. 
• Pathak VN. 1980. Diseases of Fruit Crops. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Singh RS. 2000. Diseases of Fruit Crops. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. Walker JC. 2004. Diseases of Vegetable Crops. TTPP, India. 

 

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DISEASES OF VEGETABLE, SPICES AND MEDICINAL CROPS

Objective 

• To impart knowledge about symptoms, etiology and management of different diseases of vegetables, spices and medicinal plants. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Symptoms, etiology and management of diseases of different root, bulb, leafy vegetables, crucifers, cucurbits and solanaceous vegetable crops. 
• UNIT II 
• Symptoms, etiology and management of diseases of different spice crops such as black pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric, fennel, fenugreek and ginger. 
• UNIT III 
• Symptoms, etiology and management of diseases of Belladonna, Cinchona, Plantago, Rauvolfia, Withania and Opium Poppy 

 

Practical 

• Detailed study of symptoms of important diseases of vegetable and spice crops. Microscopic study of important pathogens. 
• Suggested Readings 
• Chaube HS, Singh US, Mukhopadhyay AN & Kumar J. 1992. Plant Diseases of International Importance. Vol. II. Diseases of Vegetable and Oilseed Crops. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs,New Jersey.
• Gupta VK & Paul YS. 2001. Diseases of Vegetable Crops. Kalyani Publ., New Delhi Sherf AF & Mcnab AA. 1986. Vegetable Diseases and their Control. Wiley Inter Science, Columbia. 
• Singh RS. 1999. Diseases of Vegetable Crops. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Gupta SK & Thind TS. 2006. Disease Problem in Vegetable Production. Scientific Publ., Jodhpur. 
• Walker JC. 1952. Diseases of Vegetable Crops. McGraw-Hill, New York. 

 

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SEED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY 

Objective 

• To acquaint with seed-borne diseases, their nature, detection, transmission, epidemiology, impacts/loses and management. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• History and economic importance of seed pathology in seed industry, plant quarantine and SPS under WTO. Morphology and anatomy of typical monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous infected seeds. 
• UNIT II 
• Recent advances in the establishment and subsequent cause of disease development in seed and seedling. Localization and mechanism of seed transmission in relation to seed infection, seed to plant transmission of pathogens. 
• UNIT III 
• Seed certification and tolerance limits, types of losses caused by seed-borne diseases in true and vegetatively propagated seeds. Epidemiological factors influencing the transmission of seed-borne diseases, forecasting of epidemics through seed-borne infection. 
• UNIT IV 
• Production of toxic metabolites affecting seed quality and its impact on human, animal and plant health, management of seed-borne pathogen/diseases and procedure for healthy seed production, seed health testing, methods for detecting microorganism. 

 

Practical 

• Conventional and advanced techniques in the detection and identification of seed-borne fungi, bacteria and viruses.  
• Suggested Readings 
• Agarwal VK & JB Sinclair. 1993. Principles of Seed Pathology. Vols. I & II, CBS Publ., New Delhi. 
• Hutchins JD & Reeves JE. (Eds.). 1997. Seed Health Testing: Progress Towards the 21st Century. CABI, Wallington.
• Paul Neergaard. 1988. Seed Pathology. MacMillan, London. 
• Suryanarayana D. 1978. Seed Pathology. Vikash Publ., New Delhi. 

 

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CHEMICALS IN PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT 

Objective 

• To impart knowledge on the concepts, principles and judicious use of chemicals in plant disease management. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• History and development of chemicals; definition of pesticides and related terms; advantages and disadvantages of chemicals. 
• UNIT II 
• Classification of chemicals based on chemical nature and mode of action used in plant disease control and their characteristics. 
• UNIT III 
• Chemicals in plant disease control, viz., fungicides, bactericides and botanicals. 
• UNIT IV 
• Formulations and application of different fungicides; chemotherapy and phytotoxicity of fungicides. 
• UNIT V 
• Handling, storage and precautions to be taken while using fungicides; compatibility with other agrochemicals, persistence, cost-benefit ratio, factor affecting fungicides. 
• UNIT VI 
• General account of plant protection appliances; environmental pollution, residues and health hazards, fungicidal resistance in plant pathogens and its management. 

 

Practical 

• Acquaintance with formulation of different fungicides and plant protection appliances, invitro evaluation techniques, preparation of different concentrations of chemicals including botanical pesticides based on active ingredients against pathogens; persistence, compatibility with other agro-chemicals, methods of application of chemicals. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Bindra OS & Singh H. 1977. Pesticides - An Application Equipment. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Nene YL & Thapliyal PN. 1993. Fungicides in Plant Disease Control. 3rd Ed. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi. 
• Torgeson DC (Ed.). 1969. Fungicides. Vol. II. An Advanced Treatise. Academic Press, New York. 
• Vyas SC. 1993. Handbook of Systemic Fungicides. Vols. I-III. Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi. 

 

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ECOLOGY OF SOIL-BORNE PLANT PATHOGENS

Objective 

• To provide knowledge on soil-plant disease relationship. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Soil as an environment for plant pathogens, nature and importance of rhizosphere and rhizoplane, host exudates, soil and root inhabiting fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, etc. 
• UNIT II 
• Relationship among soil microbes. 
• UNIT III 
• Suppressive soils, biological control, types of bio control agents, concepts and potentialities for managing soil borne pathogens. 

 

Practical 

• Quantification of rhizosphere and rhizoplane microflora with special emphasis on pathogens; pathogenicity test by soil and root inoculation techniques, correlation between inoculum density of test pathogens and disease incidence, demonstration of fungistasis in natural soils; suppression of test soil-borne pathogens by antagonistic microorganisms. Identification of different biocontrol agents. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Baker KF & Snyder WC. 1965. Ecology of Soil-borne Plant Pathogens. John Wiley, New York. 
• Cook RJ & Baker KF. 1983. The Nature and Practice of Biological Control of Plant Pathogens. APS, St Paul, Minnesota.
• Garret SD. 1970. Pathogenic Root-infecting Fungi. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, New York. 
• Hillocks RJ & Waller JM. 1997. Soil-borne Diseases of Tropical Crops. CABI, Wallington. Parker CA, Rovira AD, Moore KJ & Wong PTN. (Eds). 1983. Ecology and Management of Soil-borne Plant Pathogens. APS, St. Paul,Minnesota.

 

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DISEASE RESISTANCE IN PLANTS   

Objective 

• To acquaint yourself with disease resistance mechanisms in plants. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Introduction and historical development, dynamics of pathogenicity, process of infection, variability in plant pathogens, gene centres as sources of resistance, disease resistance terminology. 
• UNIT II 
• Disease escapes, disease tolerance, disease resistance, types of resistance, identification of physiological races of pathogens, disease progression in relation to resistance, stabilizing selection pressure in plant pathogens. 
• UNIT III 
• Host defence system, morphological and anatomical resistance, preformed chemicals in host defence, post infectional chemicals in host defence, phytoalexins, hypersensitivity and its mechanisms. 
• UNIT IV 
• Gene-for-gene concept, protein-for-protein and immunization basis, management of resistance genes. Strategies for gene deployment. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Deverall BJ. 1977. Defence Mechanisms in Plants. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, New York. 
• Mills Dallice et al.1996. Molecular Aspects of Pathogenicity and Resistance: Requirement for Signal Transduction. APS, St Paul,Minnesota.
• Parker J. 2008. Molecular Aspects of Plant Diseases Resistance. Blackwell Publ. 
• Robinson RA. 1976. Plant Pathosystems. Springer Verlag, New York. 
• Singh BD. 2005. Plant Breeding – Principles and Methods. 7th Ed. Kalyani Publ., Ludhiana Van der Plank JE. 1975. Principles of Plant Infection. Academic Press, New York. 
• Van der Plank JE. 1978. Genetic and Molecular Basis of Plant Pathogenesis. Springer Verlag. New York.
• Van der Plank JE. 1982. Host Pathogen Interactions in Plant Disease. Academic Press, New York. 
• Van der Plank JE. 1984. Disease Resistance in Plants. Academic Press, New York. 

 

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INSECT VECTORS OF PLANT VIRUSES AND  OTHER PATHOGENS 

Objective 

• To teach the students about the different groups of insects that vector plant pathogens, vector plant pathogen interaction, management of vectors for controlling diseases. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• History of developments in the area of insects as vectors of plant pathogens. Important insect vectors and their characteristics; mouth parts and feeding processes of important insect vectors. Efficiency of transmission. 
• UNIT II 
• Transmission of plant viruses and fungal pathogens. Relation between viruses and their vectors. 
• UNIT III 
• Transmission of plant viruses by aphids, whiteflies, mealy bugs and thrips. UNIT IV 
• Transmission of mycoplasma and bacteria by leaf hoppers and plant hoppers. 
• UNIT V 
• Transmission of plant viruses by psyllids, beetles and mites. Epidemiology and management of insect transmitted diseases through vector management. 

 

Practical: 

• Identification of common vectors of plant pathogens- aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies, thrips, beetles, nematodes; culturing and handling of vectors; demonstration of virus transmission through vectors- aphids, leafhoppers and whiteflies. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Basu AN. 1995. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) - Crop Pest and Principal Whitefly Vector of Plant Viruses. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi.
• Harris KF & Maramarosh K. (Eds.).1980. Vectors of Plant Pathogens. Academic Press, London. 
• Maramorosch K & Harris KF. (Eds.). 1979. Leafhopper Vectors and Plant Disease Agents. Academic Press, London.
• Youdeowei A & Service MW. 1983. Pest and Vector Management in the Tropics. English Language Books Series, Longman, London.

 

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES

Objective 

• To study principles and application of eco friendly and sustainable management strategies of plant diseases. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Concept of biological control, definitions, importance, principles of plant disease management with bioagents, history of biological control, merits and demerits of biological control. 
• UNIT II 
• Types of         biological         interactions,    competition,    mycoparasitism,          exploitation      for hypovirulence, rhizosphere colonization, competitive saprophytic ability, antibiosis, induced resistance, mycorrhizal associations, operational mechanisms and its relevance in biological control. 
• UNIT III 
• Factors governing biological control, role of physical environment, agroecosystem, operational mechanisms and cultural practices in biological control of pathogens, biocontrol agents, comparative approaches to biological control of plant pathogens by resident and introduced antagonists, control of soil-borne and foliar diseases. Compatibility of different bioagents. UNIT IV 
• Commercial production of antagonists, their delivery systems, application and monitoring, biological control in IDM, IPM and organic farming system, biopesticides available in market. Quality control system of biocontrol agents. 

 

Practical 

• Isolation, characterization and maintenance of antagonists, methods of study of antagonism and antibiosis, application of antagonists against pathogen in in vivo conditions. Study of cfu/g of formulated products. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Campbell R. 1989. Biological Control of Microbial Plant Pathogens. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. 
• Cook RJ & Baker KF. 1983. Nature and Practice of Biological Control of Plant Pathogens. 
• APS, St. Paul, Mennisota.
• Fokkemma MJ. 1986. Microbiology of the Phyllosphere. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. 
• Gnanamanickam SS (Eds). 2002. Biological Control of Crop Diseases. CRC Press, Florida. 
• Heikki MT & Hokkanen James M (Eds.). 1996. Biological Control - Benefits and Risks. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge.
• Mukerji KG, Tewari JP, Arora DK & Saxena G. 1992. Recent Developments in Biocontrol of Plant Diseases. Aditya Books, NewDelhi.

 

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INTEGRATED DISEASE MANAGEMENT 

Objective 

• To emphasize the importance and need of IDM in the management of diseases of important crops. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Introduction, definition, concept and tools of disease management. 
• UNIT II 
• Development of IDM – basic principles, biological, chemical and cultural disease management, their implications and limitations. 
• UNIT III 
• IDM in important crops- rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, rapeseed, mustard, kharif pulses, vegetable crops and fruit crops. 

 

Practical 

• Application of biological, cultural, chemical and biocontrol agents, their compatibility and integration in IDM, demonstration of IDM in certain vegetable nursery. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Gupta VK & Sharma RC. (Eds). 1995. Integrated Disease Management and Plant Health. Scientific Publ., Jodhpur.
• Mayee CD, Manoharachary C, Tilak KVBR, Mukadam DS & Deshpande Jayashree (Eds.). 2004. Biotechnological Approaches for the Integrated Management of Crop Diseases. Daya Publ. House, NewDelhi. 
• Sharma RC & Sharma JN. (Eds). 1995. Integrated Plant Disease Management. Scientific Publ., Jodhpur.

 

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EPIDEMIOLOGY AND FORECASTING OF PLANT DISEASES 

Objective 

• To acquaint with the principles of epidemiology and its application in disease forecasting. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Epidemic concept and historical development, pathometry and crop growth stages, epidemic growth and analysis. 
• UNIT II 
• Common and natural logrithms, function fitting area under disease progress curve and correction factors, inoculum dynamics, population biology of pathogens, temporal spatial variability in plant pathogens. 
• UNIT III 
• Survey, surveillance and vigilance, crop loss assessment and models. 
• UNIT IV 
• Principles and pre-requisites of forecasting, systems and factors affecting various components of forecastings, some early forecasting, procedures based on weather and inoculum potential, modeling disease growth and disease prediction. 

 

Practical: 

• Measuring diseases, spore dispersal and trapping, weather recording, survey, computerized data analysis, function fitting, model preparation and validation. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Campbell CL & Madden LV. 1990. Introduction to Plant Disease Epidemiology. John Wiley & Sons. New York
• Cowling EB & Horsefall JG. 1978. Plant Disease. Vol. II. Academic Press, New York. Laurence VM, Gareth H & Frame Van den Bosch (Eds.). The Study of Plant Disease Epidemics. APS, St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Nagarajan S & Murlidharan K. 1995. Dynamics of Plant Diseases. Allied Publ., New Delhi. Thresh JM. 2006. Plant Virus Epidemiology. Advances in Virus Research 67, Academic Press, New York. 
• Van der Plank JE. 1963. Plant Diseases Epidemics and Control. Academic Press, New York. 
• Zadoks JC & Schein RD. 1979. Epidemiology and Plant Disease Management. Oxford Univ. Press, London.

 

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POST HARVEST DISEASES

Objective 

• To acquaint with post harvest diseases of agricultural produce and their ecofriendly management. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Concept of post harvest diseases, definitions, importance with reference to environment and health. 
• UNIT II 
• Types of post harvest problems both by biotic and abiotic causes. 
• UNIT III 
• Factors governing post harvest problems both as biotic and abiotic, role of physical environment, agro-ecocystem leading to quiescent infection, operational mechanisms and cultural practices in perpetuation of pathogens, pathogens and antagonist and their relationship, role of biocontrol agents and chemicals in controlling post-harvest diseases. 
• UNIT IV 
• Integrated approach in controlling diseases and improving the shelf life of produce with special reference to mycotoxicogenic fungi, knowledge of Codex Alimentarius. 

 

Practical: 

• Isolation characterization and maintenance of pathogens, role of different storage conditions on disease development. Comparative efficacy of different chemicals, fungicides, phytoextracts and bioagents. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Pathak VN. 1970. Diseases of Fruit Crops and their Control. IBH Publ., New Delhi. Chaddha KL & Pareek OP. 1992. Advances in Horticulture Vol. IV, Malhotra Publ. House, New Delhi. 

 

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PLANT QUARANTINE 

Objective 

• To acquaint the learners about the principles and the role of Plant Quarantine in containment of pests and diseases, plant quarantine regulations and set-up. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Definition of pest, pesticides and transgenics as per Govt. notification; relative importance; quarantine – domestic and international. Quarantine restrictions in the movement of agricultural produce, seeds and planting material; case histories of exotic pests/diseases and their status. 
• UNIT II 
• Plant protection organization in India. Acts related to registration of pesticides and transgenics. History of quarantine legislations, PQ Order 2003. Environmental Acts, Industrial registration; APEDA, Import and Export of bio-control agents. 
• UNIT III 
• Identification of pest/disease free areas;       contamination of food with toxigens, microorganisms and their elimination; Symptomatic diagnosis and other techniques to detect pest/pathogen infestations; VHT and other safer techniques of disinfestation/salvaging of infected material. 
• UNIT IV 
• WTO regulations; non-tariff barriers; Pest risk analysis. Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Rajeev K & Mukherjee RC. 1996. Role of Plant Quarantine in IPM. Aditya Books. 
• Rhower GG. 1991. Regulatory Plant Pest Management. In: Handbook of Pest Management in Agriculture. 2nd Ed. Vol. II. (Ed. David Pimental). CRC Press. 

 

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ADVANCED MYCOLOGY

Objective 

• To acquaint with the latest advances in Mycology. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• General introduction, historical development and advances in mycology. 
• UNIT II 
• Recent taxonomic criteria, morphological criteria for classification. Serological, Chemical (chemotaxonomy), Molecular and Numerical (Computer based assessment) taxonomy. 
• UNIT III 
• Interaction between groups: Phylogeny. Micro conidiation, conidiogenesis and sporulating structures of fungi imperfecti. Morphology and reproduction of representative plant pathogenic genera from different groups of fungi. Sexual reproduction in different groups of fungi. 
• UNIT IV 
• Population biology, pathogenic variability/vegetative compatibility. 
• UNIT V 
• Heterokaryosis and parasexual cycle. Sex hormones in fungi. Mechanism of nuclear inheritance. Mechanism of extra-nuclear inheritance. 

 

Practical 

• Study of conidiogenesis- phialides, porospores, arthospores. Study of fruit bodies in Ascomycotina. Study of hyphal anastomosis. Morphology of representative plant pathogenic genera from different groups of fungi. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Alexopoulos CJ, Mimms CW & Blackwell M. 1996. Introductory Mycology. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
• Dube HC. 2005. An Introduction to Fungi. 3rd Ed. Vikas Publ. House, New Delhi. 
• Kirk PM, Cannon PF, David JC & Stalpers JA. (Eds.). 2001. Ainswsorth and Bisby’s Dictionary of Fungi. 9th Ed., CABI, Wallington.
• Ulloa M & Hanlin RT. 2000. Illustrated Dictionary of Mycology. APS, St. Paul, Mennisota. Webster J & Weber R. 2007. Introduction to Fungi. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. 

 

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ADVANCED VIROLOGY 

Objective 

• To educate about the advanced techniques and new developments in the field of Plant Virology. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Mechanism of virus transmission by vectors, virus-vector relationship, bimodal transmission and taxonomy of viruses, vector specificity for classes of viruses, virus replication, assembly and architecture, ultrastructural changes due to virus infection, variation, mutation and virus strains. 
• UNIT II 
• Immunoglobulin structure and functions of various domains, methods of immunodiagnosis, hybridoma technology and use of monoclonal antibodies in identification of viruses and their strains, Polymerase Chain Reaction. 
• UNIT III 
• Genome          organization,   replication,      transcription    and      translational    strategies        of pararetroviruses and gemini viruses, satellite viruses and satellite RNA genome organization in tobamo-, poty-, bromo, cucummo, ilar and tospoviruses. 
• UNIT IV 
• Gene expression and regulation, viral promoters, molecular mechanism of host virus interactions, virus induced gene, molecular mechanism of vector transmission, symptom expression, viroids and prions. 
• UNIT V 
• Viral suppressors, a RNAi dynamics, resistant genes. Viruses potential as vectors, genetically engineered resistance, transgenic plants. 
• UNIT VI 
• Techniques and application of tissue culture. 

 

Practical 

• Purification of virus(es), SDS-PAGE for molecular weight determination, production of polyclonal antiserum, purification of IgG and conjugate preparation, serological techniques (i) DAC-ELISA (ii) DAS -ELISA (iii) DIBA (iv) Western blots (v) (ab) 2-ELISA, vector transmission (one each with aphid, leaf hopper and whitefly), methods for collecting vectors and their maintenance, nucleic acid isolation, PCR application. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Davies 1997. Molecular Plant Virology: Replication and Gene Expression. CRC Press, Florida.
• Fauquet et al. 2005. Vius Taxonomy. VIII Report of ICTV. AcademicPress, New York. 
• Gibbs A & Harrison B. 1976. Plant Virology - The Principles. Edward Arnold, London. Jones P, Jones PG & Sutton JM. 1997. Plant Molecular Biology: Essential Techniques. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
• Khan JA & Dijkstra. 2002. Plant Viruses as Molecular Pathogens. Howarth Press, New York. 
• Maramorosch K, Murphy FA & Shatkin AJ. 1996. Advances in Virus Research. Vol. 46. Academic Press, New York.
• Pirone TP & Shaw JG. 1990. Viral Genes and Plant Pathogenesis. Springer Verlag, New York. 
• Roger Hull 2002. Mathew’s Plant Virology (4th Ed.). Academic Press, New York. 
• Thresh JM. 2006. Plant Virus Epidemiology. Advances in Virus Research 67. Academic Press, New York. 

 

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ADVANCED BACTERIOLOGY

Objective 

• To provide knowledge about the latest advances in phytobacteriology. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Current approaches for the characterization and identification of phytopathogenic bacteria. Ultrastructures and biology of bacteria. 
• UNIT II 
• Current trends in taxonomy of phytopathogenic procarya. 
• UNIT III 
• Role of enzyme, toxin, expolysaccharide, polypeptide signals in disease development. Mechanism of wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) development, mechanism of soft rot (Erwinia spp.) development, mechanism of Crown gall formation (Agrobacterium tumifaciens). 
• UNIT IV 
• Host-bacterial pathogen interaction, quorum-sensing phenomenon, Type III secretion system, HR/SR reactions, R-genes, Avr-genes, hrp genes, Effector protein. 
• UNIT V 
• Molecular variability among phytopathogenic procarya and possible host defense mechanism(s). Genetic engineering for management of bacterial plant pasthogens-gene silencing, RNAi technology. 
• UNIT VI 
• Beneficial prokaryotes- Endophytes, PGPR, phylloplane bacteria and their role in disease management. Endosymbionts for host defence. 

 

Practical 

• Pathogenic studies and race identification; Gram, Capsule, Endospore and Flagellar staining; test for secondary metabolite production, cyanides, EPS, siderophore; molecular tools to identify bacteria. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Dale JW & Simon P. 2004. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 
• Garrity GM, Krieg NR & Brenner DJ. 2006. Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology: The Proteobacteria. Vol. II. SpringerVerlag, New York.
• Gnanamanickam SS. 2006. Plant-Associated Bacteria. Springer Verlag, New York. 
• Mount MS & Lacy GH. 1982. Plant Pathogenic Prokaryotes. Vols. I, II. Academic Press, New York. 
• Sigee DC. 1993. Bacterial Plant Pathology: Cell and Molecular Aspects. Cambridge Univ. 
• Press, Cambridge. 
• Starr MP. 1992. The Prokaryotes. Vols. I – IV. Springer Verlag, New York. 

 

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MOLECULAR BASIS OF HOST-PATHOGEN INTERACTION

Objective 

• To understand the concepts of molecular biology and biotechnology in relation to hostpathogen interactions. 

 

Theory 

• UNIT I 
• Importance and role of biotechnological tools in Plant Pathology- Basic concepts and principles to study host pathogen relationship. 
• UNIT II 
• Molecular basis of host-pathogen interaction- fungi, bacteria and viruses; recognition system, signal transduction. 
• UNIT III 
• Induction of defense responses- pathogenesis related proteins, HR, reactive oxygen species, phytoalexins and systemic acquired resistance, Programmed Cell Death, Viral induced gene silencing. 
• UNIT IV 
• Molecular basis of gene-for-gene hypothesis; R-gene expression and transcription profiling, mapping and cloning of resistance genes and marker-aided selection, pyramiding of R genes. 
• UNIT V 
• Biotechnology and disease management; development of disease resistance plants using genetic engineering approaches, different methods of gene transfer, biosafety issues related to GM crops. 

 

Practical 

• Protein, DNA and RNA isolation, Plasmids extraction,PCR analysis, DNA and Protein electrophoresis, bacterial transformation. 

 

Suggested Readings 

• Chet I. 1993. Biotechnology in Plant Disease Control. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Gurr SJ, Mc Pohersen MJ & Bowlos DJ. (Eds.). 1992. Molecular Plant Pathology - A Practical Approach. Vols. I & II, Oxford Univ. Press,Oxford.
• Mathew JD. 2003. Molecular Plant Pathology. Bios Scientific Publ., UK. 
• Ronald PC. 2007. Plant-Pathogen Interactions: Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana Press, New Jersey.
• Stacey G & Keen TN. (Eds.). 1996. Plant Microbe Interactions. Vols. I-III. Chapman & Hall, New York; Vol. IV. APS Press, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

 

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PLANT PATHOLOGY 

List of Journals

• Annals of Applied Biology – Cambridge University Press, London 
• Annual Review of Phytopathology – Annual Reviews, Palo Alto, California 
• Annual Review of Plant Pathology - Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur 
• Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology - Canadian Phytopathological Society, Ottawa 
• Indian Journal of Biotechnology - National Institute of Science Communication and 
• Information Resources, CSIR, New Delhi 
• Indian Journal of Mycopathological Research- Indian Society of Mycology, Kolkata. 
• Indian Journal of Virology - Indian Virological Society, New Delhi 
• Indian Phytopathology - Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi 
• Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology - Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, pur 
• Journal of Phytopathology - Blackwell Verlag, Berlin 
• Mycologia - New York Botanical Garden, Pennsylvania 
• Mycological Research - Cambridge University Press, London 
• Physiological Molecular Plant Pathology - Academic Press, London 
• Phytopathology - American Phytopathological Society, USA 
• Plant Disease - The American Phytopathological Society, USA 
• Plant Disease Research – Indian Society of Plant Pathologists, Ludhiana 
• Plant Pathology - British Society for Plant Pathology, Blackwell Publ. 
• Review of Plant Pathology - CAB International, Wallingford 
• Virology- New York Academic Press 

 

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e-Resources

• www.shopapspress.org 
• www.apsjournals.apsnet.org 
• www.apsnet.org/journals 
• www.cabi_publishing.org 
• www.springer.com/life+Sci/agriculture 
• www.backwellpublishing.com 
• www.csiro.au 
• www.annual-reviews.org 

 

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Suggested Broad Topics for Master’s and Doctoral Research

• Pathogenesis and characterization of plant pathogens 
• Survey and surveillance 
• Induction of resistance using biotic and abiotic elicitors 
• Variability in plant pathogens 
• Plant-Virus-Vector relationships 
• Genome organization of plant pathogens 
• Dynamics of plant pathogen propagules and their biology 
• Molecular tools in disease diagnosis 
• Molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in crops and seeds 
• Rhizosphere in pathogenesis of seed-borne plant pathogens 
• Transgenic resistance 
• Development of disease prediction models in disease forecasting 
• Integrated Disease Management 
• Molecular Taxonomy of different plant pathogens 
• Development of Rapid Diagnostic methods 
• Development and Formulation of Improved Biocontrol Agent

 

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