The Department of Plant Pathology has its roots in the Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri. In 2017, the department was separately established as Department of Plant Pathology and started M.Sc. programme in the same year and Ph.D. in 2023.
The department has been established with the mandates of UG and PG teaching, development of human resource in the field of Plant Pathology as well as Mushroom Culture and development of strategies for the management of various diseases of sub tropical fruits.
The department is pioneer in identification and management of various fungal, bacterial and viral diseases of sub tropical fruits, vegetables, ornamental and medicinal crops.
The department is engaged in standardizing the round the year cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms in the sub tropical region of the state. We have a dedicated laboratory for the production of spawn which cater to the needs of local farmers.
A bio-control laboratory is also being established in the department where bio-formulations of various bio-control fungi and bacteria will be made available to the local farmers.
Department, since its inception, is running on self finance mode in the college. Although, it has received research funding in ad-hoc research projects from different funding agencies of Government of India like ICAR and DST. Presently, department is having 01 ad-hoc research project in operation worth Rs. 34.67 lakh.
Scientists of the department published more than 192 research papers and 7 review articles in leading national and international journals, 8 books, 22 book chapters and more than 80 popular articles and technical bulletins for dissemination of technology to the farmers and entrepreneurs. The scientists have presented 138 scientific research papers in various National and International conferences.
Department has been able to nurture useful human resource for the country in the form of 31 M.Sc. students during the period of 5 years.
Transfer of technology to the end users by various extension methods including Radio / TV talks by the faculty members, awareness camps and trainings.
Dr Kumud Jarial:
1. Recipient of 2nd Best Poster Award in the International E- conference on “Multidisciplinary approaches for plant disease management for achieving sustainability in agriculture” organised by Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru (University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot), India during 6-9th October, 2020.
2. Recipient of Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rathriya Puraskar by Glacier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad for the year 2020.
Dr Monica Sharma:
1. Post-doctorate fellowship at Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology (IPAZ), Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany (2008-2009).
2. STIBET fellowship funded by DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst-German Academic Exchange Service) during Ph.D. (2005-2008).
3. University Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in M.Sc.
4. Gold Medal from "Himotkarsh" - an academy for Literature, Culture and Public Welfare, Una, Himachal Pradesh for excellence in Academics as Topper in M.Sc. Horticulture Exam-2004.
5. Certificate of Honour during M.Sc.
6. Certificate of Merit for securing First Position in M.Sc.
7. P.P. Singhal Memorial Pesticides India Award of Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 2003.
8. Prof. M.J. Narasimhan Academic Merit Award of Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi - Commendation Certificate, 2004.
9. Prof. K.P.V. Menon Best Poster Paper Award of Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi - Commendation Certificate, 2004.
10. Third rank for the oral paper presented in the session on “Molecular diagnostics” at National symposium on ‘Perspectives in Plant health management’ organized by IPS, at Anand Agriculture University, Anand, Gujarat, 2010.
11. Best Poster presentation for presentation in IPSCONF2022 IPS 8th International Conference (Hybrid mode) Plant Pathology: Retrospect and Prospects w.e.f. March 23-26, 2022 at SKN Agriculture University, Jobner-Jaipur, Rajesthan, organized by Indian Phytopathological Society.
12. Recipient of 3rd Best Poster Award in ISMPP 42nd Annual Conference and National symposium on ‘Plant Health Management: A way forward for Food Safety, Security and Sustainability w.e.f. May 10-12, 2023 held at Anand Agriculture University, Anand, Gujarat.
Dr R S Jarial:
1. Recipient of 2nd Best Poster Award in the International E- conference on “Multidisciplinary approaches for plant disease management for achieving sustainability in agriculture” organised by Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru (University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot), India during 6-9th October, 2020.
2. Recipient of Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rathriya Puraskar by Glacier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad for the year 2020.