August 22, 2012 admin

Farmers need to adopt good agri-practices to get residue free produce, say experts

Ludhiana, 22 Aug 2012 (BharatSandesh News)::-The farm scientists with expertise for managing the crop diseases, from various parts of the country, held thorough deliberations on detection of plant pathogens, biotechnology and plant diseases and integrated plant disease management, during the brain storming session on “Recent developments in the management of rice diseases,” organised recently at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
Various recommendations, emerging out of the discussions, were finalised during the session. The need for developing experimental protocols for screening of rice germplasm against emerging diseases such as false smut and neck blast, was emphasized. The experts stressed that near isogenic lines, for blast and bacterial blight resistance; need to be tested at different locations in the country, to observe any variation in the disease reaction, so as to use resistance lines for varietal development. The establishment of a hi-tech state-of-the art “Pesticide Residue Laboratory” in Punjab state, for analyzing samples of rice and other crops, for detection of pesticide residues and for facilitating their export to other nations, was suggested. A winning project proposal on biology and management of upcoming rice diseases such as foot rot, false smut, neck blast and sheath blight may be developed and submitted to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) or Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi, for financial support, said the experts. The need for urging the farmers to adopt good agricultural practices, to get clean and pesticide free residue, was also emphasized.
During the brain storming session, the experts also shed light on plant pathology research at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), molecular marker technology for mapping, characterization and transfer of bacterial blight resistance genes in rice and status of bacterial blight of rice which appeared in epidemic form, during the years 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1981. Besides, understanding the molecular basis of Pi54 mediated blast resistance in rice, breeding programme for bacterial blight resistance in rice and scenario of fungal diseases of rice and basmati rice in Punjab with thrust on their epidemiology and integrated management, were some of other focus areas. The issues pertaining to rice diseases under field conditions, micro nutrient management, improvement in seed treatment technology and pesticide residues, were also discussed. A poster session, highlighting diseases of rice and other crops, was also organized and three best posters were given away prizes.
The resource persons included Dr T. R. Sharma, Principle Scientist, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, Dr D.S. Brar, Adjunct Professor at PAU and former Head, Division of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, IRRI, Dr Ram Singh, Senior Plant Pathologist, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Dr (Mrs) S.K. Maan, former Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU, Dr S.S. Sokhi, former Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, and the university experts – Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr G.S. Mangat, Senior Rice Breeder, Dr P.P.S. Pannu, Senior Plant Pathologist and Dr P.P. Singh, Head, Plant Pathology. 

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