PLANT PATHOLOGY

         The Palli Siksha Bhavana has been functioning since 1963. Plant Pathology and Agricultural Entomology – two key disciplines of Plant Protection – were initially taught under the Department of Agriculture, Palli Siksha Sadana, from 1965 onwards. In 1989, these subjects came under the newly established Department of Plant Protection. The M.Sc. (Ag.) programme in Plant Protection, with specializations in Plant Pathology and Agricultural Entomology, was introduced in 1987. Plant Pathology evolved into an independent department in 2019. The Department of Plant Pathology offers important courses in Plant Pathology at the undergraduate level to B.Sc. Agriculture students, while at the postgraduate level, M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology are awarded since then.

               Faculty members are actively engaged and contribute significantly to teaching, research, and extension. They have published several research papers and review articles in reputed international and national journals, as well as authored/edited books and book chapters with international and Indian publishers. The Department has successfully implemented three major research projects funded by AVRDC (Taiwan), the Horticultural Mission (Govt. of West Bengal), and ICAR (as an EL Unit), along with company-sponsored projects.

            The main areas of research are detection, diagnosis and management of diseases. Research and extension activities are problem-oriented, with a strong emphasis on field-based practicals and training for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Postgraduate training covers diverse areas such as Mycology, Nematology, Epidemiology, Bacteriology, Virology, Mushroom Science, Plant Disease Management, Integrated Disease Management (IDM), and Post-Harvest Pathology. Department also houses a well-equipped Research Laboratory for Plant Pathology and Experiential Learning Unit in Mushroom Technology.