Unit Code: PPA622

Unit Name: Principles of Plant Pathology

Description: Introduction, Important plant pathogenic organisms, different groups, fungi, bacteria, fastidious vesicular bacteria, phytoplasmas, spiroplasmas, viruses, viriods, algae, protozoa and phanerogamic parasites with examples of diseases caused by them. General Characters of fungi, Definition of fungus, somatic structures, types of fungal thalli, fungal tissues, modifications of thallus, reproduction in fungi (asexual and sexual). Nomenclature, Binomial system of nomenclature, rules of nomenclature, classification of fungi. Key to divisions and sub-divisions. Introduction: Definition and objectives of Plant Pathology. History of Plant Pathology. Terms and concepts in Plant Pathology. Survival and Dispersal of Plant Pathogens. Phenomenon of infection, pre-penetration, penetration and post penetration. Pathogenesis, Role of enzymes, toxins, growth regulators and polysaccharides. Defense mechanism in plants, Structural and Bio-chemical (pre and post infection). Plant disease epidemiology. Plant Disease Forcasting, Remote sensing, General principles of plant diseases management, Importance, general principles, Avoidance, exclusion, protection, Plant Quarantine and Inspection, Quarantine Rules and Regulations. Cultural methods, Rougeing, eradication of alternate and collateral hosts, crop rotation, manure and fertilizer management, mixed cropping, sanitation, hot weather ploughing, soil amendments, time of sowing, seed rate and plant density, irrigation and drainage. Role and mechanisms of biological control and PGPR. Physical Methods, Heat and Chemical methods, Methods of application of fungicides. Host plant resistance, Application of biotechnology in plant disease management, Development of disease resistant treansgenic plants through gene cloning. Integrated plant disease management (IDM), Concept, advantages and importance.General characteristics of phyto-nematodes. Economic importance of phyto nematode. Nematode morphology. Systematic position of Nematodes, Nematode Biology, Nature of damage. General symptoms and Classification on the basis of parasitism, seed- gall nematode, Anguina tritici, root- knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp., cyst nematode, Heterodera and Globodera spp., citrus nematodes, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, rice root nematode, Hirschmanniella spp. Different methods of nematode control. Cultural methods (crop rotation, fallowing, soil amendments, other land management techniques), physical methods (soil solarisation, hot water treatment), biological methods. Chemical methods (fumigants, non fumigants). Resistant varieties. Integrated nematode management.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: N/A

Prerequisite Sentence: Student must be enrolled in the programme.

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2