Post Graduate

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY

Post Graduate Courses:

PLP 501 Method in Plant Pathol­ogy (3 cr.): The course introduces the students to advanced techniques and methods in the field of plant pathology. Laboratory session illus­trate the topics included in the course.

PLP 502 Epidemiology and Plant Disease Control (3 cr.): Consideration of fundamental concepts and principles of epidemiology as they apply to modern strategies of plant disease control. Study of principles of plant disease control. Special consideration is give to evalua­tion of current techniques for control of plant diseases caused by various pathogens in integrated crop protection systems. A term paper will be required to integrate concepts and principles of disease. Laboratory sessions illustrate some topics about disease control and fungicidal screening.

PLP 503 Plant Pathogenesis (3 cr): Introduction to plant pathogenesis, Infection process of fungi, bacteria, virus and nematode. Alteration in host physiology including the effect of toxins, enzymes, photosynthesis and respiration of the diseased plants. The structural and biochemical defense mechanisms employed by the hosts in resisting the attack of the pathogens. The role of phytoalexin in relation to defense mechanisms of host plant.

PLP 505 Genetics of Plant Pathogens and Disease Resistance (3 cr): Studies of the genetics and variability of fungus, bacteria, nematodes and viruses; genetics and molecular basis of host-parasite interaction. Intro­duction to types of plant resistance to pathogens and breeding disease resistant crop varieties.

PLP/SST 506 Seed Pathology (3 cr): A study of seed-borne diseases and their etiology, epidemiology and control. Field observation and collection are also required. Laboratory sessions deal with methods in seed pathology.

PLP 507 Soil-borne Diseases (3 cr): Microbes present in the soil. Factors affecting soil microorganism, Root inhabiting and soil infecting fungi, Survival of soil-borne fungi. Succession of soil-borne fungi. Microbial interactions in soil. Introduction to mycorrhiza, their classification and impacts on the production of agricultural crops. Control of soil-born fungal diseases with emphasis on biological control. The side effects of pesticides.

PLP 511 Introduction to Mycology      (3 cr): The students are introduced to morphology, anatomy, reproduction, physiology, life cycle and taxonomy of fungi. Laboratory sessions will emphasize on the topics studied. Field observation and collection are also required.

PLP 521 Introduction to Nematology    (3 cr): A study of the morphology, anatomy, biology and taxonomy of plant parasitic nematodes with emphasis on the identification of important plant parasitic genera. Introduction to diseases caused by the parasite. Laboratory exercises in­clude extraction and identification of nematodes and study of diseased speci­mens. Field observation and collection of specimens are also required.

PLP 531 Plant Virology (3 cr): A Study of plant viruses in relation to viral structure and function. Areas covered include infection, replication, transmission and movement. Plant diseases caused by viruses and MLOs are studied. Laboratory exercises introduce students to important techniques in plant virology. Field observation and collection are also required.

PLP 540 General Microbiology (3 cr): History and biodiversity of microbes (bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, oomycetes, algae, protozoa); microbial cell structure (including microscopy) and functions; cell growth (nutrituion, energetics, environmental factors); bacterial genetics and genetics and genomics; molecular microbiological principles (gene expression and cloning); systematics, taxonomy and evolution; microbial ecosystems; industrial fermentations (e.g., antibiotics, enzymes); microorganisms and plant diseases, preservation of microorganisms, food microbiology, microbial interactions (plant, human and animal).

PLP 541 Plant Bac­teriolo­gy (3 cr): A study of morphology and fine structure, biology, metabolism, modification, mutation, genetics and taxonomy of bacteria with special emphasis on plant pathogenic bacteria. Characterization and classification of plant pathogenic bacteria and bacterial diseases of plants and their control methods are studied. Laboratory exercis­es introduce students to methods and techniques in the field of plant bacteriology. Field observation and collection are also required.

PLP 596 Reading and Confer­ence. (Credit to be arranged but not more than (3 cr.): Special / direct study assigned by the Major Professor on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and/or interest of the student. Field visit and collection of fungal specimens are required.

PLP 597 Special Problems (Credit to be arranged but not more than 3 cr.): Investiga­tion of spe­cial problems in plant pathology not related to a dissertation problem. The investigations may consist of original research and/or literature survey.

PLP 598 Seminar (1 cr):   Discussion of assigned topics in the field of Plant Pathology.

PLP 599 Thesis Research (Credit to be arranged but not less than 12 cr.): Original thesis Research.

PLP 601 Clinical Plant Pa­thology (3 cr): Diagnoses of crop diseases and opera­tional aspects of a plant disease clinic will be stressed. Frequent field trips to experimen­tal stations and farmers’ fields will provide opportunities for field observation on plant disease, plant disease research and diagnosis. Methods of survey and monitoring of plant disease will be considered. Laboratory studies will emphasize on identification of plant diseases and prescription against them (Pre requisite PLP 511 or COI).

PLP 603 Molecular Plant Pathology    (3 cr): The course emphasizes on the molecular level focusing deeply on molecular diagnosis of plant diseases, molecular taxonomym population genetics of plant pathogens and molecular and physiological basis of plant-microbe interactions. Study on perception of microbial signals to the host, plant signal transduction pathways and assocated local and systemic defense mechanisms are to be included. Laboratory exercises are to be provided to orient students to various molecular techniques commonly used in different plant pathological studies.

PLP 605 Diseases in Agroforestry (3 cr): Study of disease problems in agroforestry and their management.

PLP 611 Advanced Mycology (3 cr): Classification of fungi, developmental morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology and taxonomy of fungi. Parasexuality of fungi, fungal nutrition, population genetics of fungi, gene cloning of fungi, extra chromosomal inheritance. Methods of identification of fungi by using molecular tools. Industrial use of fungi, Field observation, collection, isolation and identification of major fungi pathogens. (Pre requisite PLP 511)

PLP 615 Mushroom Industry (2 cr): Cultivation and popularization of mushroom fungi. (Pre requisite PLP 511 or COI).

PLP 621 Advanced Nematology (3 cr): An in-depth study of embryo­gen­esis, post‑embryonic development, gametogenesis, reproduction, sexuality, behaviour, host parasite relationships, metabolism, mechanisms of pathogenesis, interaction with other pathogens, distribution and population dynamics of plant parasitic nematodes and impact on crop performance. Emphasis will be given on the identification of various groups of nematodes. Laboratory exercises include small research projects in some areas of study and demonstration of techniques. Field observation and collection are also required. (Prerequisite PLP 521).

PLP 631 Advanced Plant Virology        (3 cr.): An in-depth study of plant viruses with em­phasis on the relationship between viral structure and function. Areas covered include infection, replication, genome expression, taxonomy and transmission. Diagnoses and biotechnology in relation to viral diseases. Labora­tory exercises introduce the students to contemporary techniques. (Prerequisite PLP 531).

PLP 696 Reading and Conference (Credit to be arranged but not more than 3 cr.): Special/direct study assigned by the Major Professor on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and/or interest of the student.

PLP 697 Special Problems (Credits to be arranged but not more than 3 cr.): Investigation of special problems in horticulture not related to a dissertation problem. The investigations may consist of original research and/or literature survey.

PLP 698 Seminar (2 cr, not more then 1 cr. per term):   Discussion of assigned topics in the field on an Plant Pathology.

PLP 699 Dissertation Research (Credit to be arranged but not less than 30 cr.): Original dissertation Research.

Note: Students having CGPA below 3.00 will not be allowed to enroll PLP 596, PLP 597, PLP 696 or PLP 697 until he/she raised the CGPA to 3.00 or above.

Table 19: Minimum Course and Research Requirement for MS Degree¹

¹ Degree requirements may be changed on the recommendation of the Board of Studies and the Advisory Committee.

² Approved by the Advisory Com­mittee.

Table 20. Minimum Course and Research Requirement for PhD Degree¹

¹Degree requirements may be changed on the recommendation of the Board of Studies and the Advisory Committee

²Approved by the Advisory Com­mittee