Introduction to Plant Pathogens, Disease Cycles, and Integrated Disease Management
Introduction & Terms: Importance of plant diseases, scope, and objectives of Plant Pathology. History of plant pathology with special reference to Indian pathologists. Terms and concepts used in plant pathology.
Pathogen Groups (Fungi & Bacteria): General characters of fungi, somatic structures, types of reproduction, and nomenclature. Classification of fungi. General characteristics of plant pathogenic bacteria and their reproduction.
Viruses, Viroids & Phytoplasma: Nature, structure, composition, and transmission of plant viruses and viroids. General characters of phytoplasma and fastidious vascular bacteria.
Disease Development & Epidemiology: Pathogenesis and stages in disease cycle (Inoculation, penetration, infection, dissemination, and overwintering). Dynamics of plant disease epidemics and forecasting.
Principles of Plant Disease Management: Plant quarantine regulatory mechanisms. Avoidance, exclusion, eradication, and protection techniques. Integrated Disease Management (IDM) using physical, chemical, and biological controls.