Int’l recognition to HAU scientists for finding cotton disease pathotype
By yash chouhan 2025-03-06 11:03:08
HAU Scientists Earn International Recognition for Discovering Cotton Disease Pathotype
Hisar: Scientists from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, have identified a new pathotype of a severe disease that impacts the cotton crop.
HAU vice-chancellor Prof B R Kamboj said on Wednesday that this is the first time that the pathotype (VCG 0111, Race-1) of fusarium wilt has been detected in India.
He said scientists had already initiated efforts to manage the disease and remain optimistic about finding an effective solution to it.
The discovery has received recognition from Elsevier, a Dutch publishing house specialising in scientific, technical, and medical research. An HAU study on the pathotype has been published in the journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, making it the first-ever report on this new cotton pathotype.
prof Kamboj lauded the research team for the achievement, emphasising the importance of early identification of emerging agricultural threats. He urged scientists to maintain strict monitoring of the disease's spread and implement swift, effective management practices to mitigate its impact on cotton production.
HAU director of research Rajbir Garg highlighted the growing menace posed by fusarium wilt, which now affects both ‘desi' and American cotton varieties with increased aggression.
Lead researcher Anil Kumar Saini stressed the team's ongoing efforts to decode the disease's outbreak and develop targeted mitigation measures, safeguarding India's cotton industry.
