About the Department:
The department of Plant Pathology started functioning with the establishment of the College of Agriculture, Vijayapur in the year 1990-91. The department offers Post-Graduate Programme in Plant Pathology discipline leading to M.Sc. (Agri.) from 2012 with well-qualified staff and gradually developed with well developed laboratory and research facilities. The department has achieved recognition at State, National and International level through its high quality graduates, research publications and outreach activities. Fifty six students have completed their M.Sc. Agri in this department since 2014. Two students of this department have bagged University Gold medals in the year 2014-15 and 2016-17, respectively and most of them are working in private and government organizations. Our future vision is to enhance the quality of agricultural education and research in the College to reach international standards. In the year 2015-16, the department occupied additional space in the new wing of the college in the IInd floor. The department is also equipped with audiovisual aids and lab facilities are helping teachers to conduct practicals more effectively.This department helps in providing quality education and training in the field of plant protection in general and plant pathology in particular. This department is addressing the burning problems of the farmers of this region like Bacterial blight and anthracnose of Pomegranate, downy mildew, powdery mildew and anthracnose in Grape, Canker and gummosis in Citrus, Wilt of Chickpea and Pigeonpea, blast of bajra etc.
With the efforts of scientists working in the plant pathology discipline in the College and ARS/ RARS in the region many technologies such as; identification and first report of pathogen of pomegranate wilt (Ceratocystis fimbriata)and its effective management, grapevine diseases including anthracnose, downy and powdery mildew, forecasting and efficacy of new molecules/chemicals, management of bacterial blight of pomegranate, citrus dry root rot, pulse crops like pigeon pea, chick pea, cereals charcoal rot of sorghum, pearl millet blast and rust etc. have been developed for in Northern Dry Zone (Zone 3) of Karnataka.Recommendations and consultancy to the farmers through large scale field demonstrations and visits for the integrated management of diseases were provided. The department faculty helps in evaluating the efficacy of new fungicides/antibiotics/ bioagents developed by private and other government organizations by conducting chemical testing trials.
Brief History of the PG degree programme:
| Year of Start | 2012 |
| Objectives of Initiating M.Sc. Programme | To impart quality education, training and research programme in the field of Plant PathologyTo undertake research to address burning problems of farmers issues related to etiology, epidemiology and management of economically important diseases on horticultural and annual field crops etc.To evaluate the efficacy of new molecules for the effective management of diseases. |
| Accomplishments of Programme | So far about 65 students have obtained master’s degree in Plant pathology. |
Faculty Strength
| Designation | Sanctioned | In-place | ||||
| T | R | E | T | R* | E* | |
| Professor and Equivalent | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assistant Professor and Equivalent | 2 | – | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 1 | |||
* Two staff members are availed from research and KVK.
Technical and Supporting Staff
| Designation | Sanctioned | In-place | Contractual |
| Assistant | 01 | 01 | |
| Messenger | 01 | 01 | |
| Farm and Field worker (Specify) Skilled helper | – | – | 01 |
Classrooms and laboratories:
List of classroom and functional laboratories
| Particulars | No. of Room | Capacity |
| No. of Lecture rooms with sitting capacity | 02 | 35 |
| No. of smart class-rooms; Seminar room with LCD. | 02 | 40 each |
| Laboratories | 02 | 30 |
List of all working equipments present in the department
| Name of the Articles |
| Digital spectrophotometer (340-960 mm) |
| Hot air Oven |
| Electrophoresis units |
| Electronic balance |
| Hot air Oven |
| Magnus Binocular Microscope |
| Laminar Air flow (4’x2’x2’) |
| Laminar air flow (Horizontal) |
| Autoclave vertical with paddle (3ft) |
| Vertical Autoclave Size:18”x24” |
| Deep freezer (Voltas) |
| Cooling centrifuge |
| B.O.D. Incubator with shaker with Humidity control |
| Humidifier |
Mention theory and practical batches for PG programmes
| No. of Courses offered | 08 |
| No. of theory and practical batches | 01 each |
| No. of courses with practical component | 07 |
Conduct of Practical and Hands-on training:
Every student has to register for minimum of 20 credit hours for major subjects as recommended by BSMA Committee. Students may register some of the courses listed below based on their research problem.
| Course No. & Credit Hours | Practical and Hands-on training | How far students getting desired practical and Hands-on training as per curriculum |
| PL PATH 501 (2+1) (Mycology) | Practicals on symptoms of diseases of fungal nature, their microscopic sections, drawing of disease cycle, fruiting structures | Students are trained on the symptoms of diseases of fungal nature, their microscopic sections, drawing of disease cycle, fruiting structures |
| PL PATH 502 (2+1) (Plant Virology) | Practicals on symptoms of viral diseases, transmission and management | Students are trained on symptoms and management practices |
| PL PATH 503 (2+1) (Plant Pathogenic Prokaryotes) | Practicals on symptoms of diseases of bacterial nature, their characteristics and management | Students are trained on symptoms, characteristics and management practices |
| PL PATH 504 (2+1) (Plant Nematology) | Practicals on symptoms of nematode diseases, their extraction, and characteristics management | Students are trained on symptoms and management practices |
| PL PATH 511 (2+1) (Chemicals and botanicals in plant disease management) | Practicals on fungicides, antibiotics compound, botanicals and their evaluation against plant pathogens | Students are trained on bioefficacy evaluation of chemical formulations and botanicals in the management practices |
| PL PATH 515 (2+1) (Diseases of Field and Medicinal crops) | Practicals on symptoms of diseases, spread, infection conditions, and management | Students are trained on symptoms of diseases, spread, infection conditions, and management practices |
| PL PATH 509 (2+0) (Disease Resistance in plants) | This course does not involve practicals and deals with different principles of disease management | Students are trained to understand the principles of disease management |
Teaching Faculty:
| Name | Designation | Mobile Number | |
| Dr. Arun Sataraddi | Professor and Head | 8277016354 | sataraddiar@uasd.in |
| Dr. M. M. Jamadar | Professor | 8073765878 | jamadarmm@uasd.in |