Occurrence of severe mosaic disease of potato caused by Potato virus Y (PVY) in all the potato growing areas of Jorhat district of Assam, India was determined by DAS-ELISA. An integrated disease management experiment for severe mosaic disease was carried out at the Experimental farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in field condition comprising spraying of commercial neem formulation, application of mineral oil, yellow sticky trap, bio fumigation with rape seed plants one month before planting, bio fumigation with cabbage plants one month before planting, spraying of Metarrhizium anisopliae and spraying of insecticides as treatments. The treatment T4 (bio fumigation with rapeseed plants one month before planting) followed by T2 (four application of mineral oil @ 5 ml/lit at 15 days interval) was found to be most effective in reduction of disease incidences, vector population as well as yield than the other treatments.&nbsp;

Occurrence of severe mosaic disease of potato and study on effect of different treatments under integrated disease management approach

<div>Background: Amaranthus is the most popular and commercially cultivated leafy vegetable in the Southern part of India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala which is susceptible to a number of diseases. Among the different diseases affecting amaranth, foliar blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, is considered as the most serious disease in Kerala.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was taken up at Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (O.R.A.R.S), Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, Kerala during December 2019 to February 2020 to assess the influence of dust and liquid formulations of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) mix I on growth, yield and disease incidence (Rhizoctonia leaf blight) in amaranthus.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the study reveal that maximum number of leaves, number of branches per plant and yield were produced by the plants that were subjected to seedling root dip with 5% talc formulation followed by drenching with 5% talc solution at 30 DAT and 45 DAT. Regardless of talc or liquid formulation of PGPR mix I (2%) seedling dip followed by drenching at 15, 30 and 45 DAT provided the least disease incidence and disease severity in amaranthus at Onattukara condition. Hence use of PGPR mix I is a prerequisite for effective growth, yield and management of leaf blight of amaranthus at Onattukara.</div>

<div>Effect of Inoculation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Mix I Formulations on Plant Growth, Yield, Disease Incidence and Disease Severity of Rhizoctonia Leaf Blight of Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">As per the literature scanned, outbreaks of LSD in cattle and Buffalo have been reported in certain pockets of world (endemically). Outbreaks of LSD have been reported in late 2019 (as per OIE report) in India. Recently, the outbreaks have been documented in certain parts of Maharashtra, especially Beed district and Marathwada (Karyarambh newspaper, 2020). Therefore, it was found pertinent to publish a review article, highlighting the recent updates of this disease. This would not only help field Veterinarians to tackle this field problem, but also to the laboratory scientists to undertake further research on control and prophylaxis strategies.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), an Emerging Disease in India: A Review</div>

Background: Nutrients are important factors that plants need, which also affect the plant&rsquo;s sensitivity to plant diseases. These nutrients may increase the plant&rsquo;s sensitivity to disease or may increase the plant&rsquo;s resistance to these diseases. 
 
Methods: This research was designed to determine the effect of the nutrient&rsquo;s nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the incidence of root diseases affecting tomato seedling caused by Pythium ultimum. Pythium ultimum were isolated and identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. 
 
Result: The results of this research showed that nutrient elements (N, P and K) play a major role in increasing the tomato plants ability to resist root diseases caused by Pythium ultimum. Different concentrations of N, P and K showed low root disease incident on tomato seedlings caused by Pythium ultimum. The best concentrations of N, P and K were 20% each and with a lower percentage 10%. Nutrient elements are very important in the plant&rsquo;s ability to resist diseases, but within specific quantities for each element.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
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Root Rot Disease on Tomato Seedlings Caused by Pythium ultimum and the Effect of Nutrient Elements N, P and K on Disease Incidence

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Turkish cattle appeared suddenly two years ago. This study evaluates potential risks of LSD and recommends appropriate control measures. The World Animal Health Organization&rsquo;s protocol was used for the risk analysis. Likelihoods for disease release and exposure were estimated with a qualitative scale ranging from negligible to high. Outbreaks were recorded in nine provinces in Turkey. Total economic loss due to the disease was estimated to be $241.903.500 US dollars. The risk analysis suggests a greater than negligible &nbsp;risk. Therefore, disease prevention and control strategies should be considered by the Turkish Veterinary Authority.

Risk analysis of lumpy skin disease in Turkey&nbsp;

<div style="text-align: justify;">Environment is an important aspect of plant ecology and global environmental change is of major concern that is caused by natural and human activities which alter greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The increase in concentration of greenhouse gases is foreseen to continue to raise average global temperature. Elevated concentration of carbon dioxide with increased temperature influences the plant-disease interactions. The environment has an influence over the development as well as temporal and spatial dissemination of plant diseases. The result of change in environment can either be favorable, non favorable or impartial, as these changes can either lessen, expand or have no influence on diseases as each disease may be attributed differently to these variations in accordance to an area or time of year. Variation in environmental conditions is said to be influencing plants in natural ecosystems all around the world and change in climate directly impacts crops, along with their synergy in accordance with the microbial population. The important elements governing magnification and spread of plant diseases are temperature, moisture, light and carbon dioxide concentration. Environment change causes a significant impact on germination, reproduction, sporulation, spore dispersal, along with perforation by pathogens as a vulnerable host will not be invaded by a pernicious pathogen if the environmental conditions are not facilitative for disease. The environment influences all life stages of host as well as that of a pathogen and as a result induces an opposition to various pathosystems. Resistance mechanisms of plants, including effector-triggered immunity (ETI), pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and defence network of hormones, are particularly influenced by environmental elements. Pathogenic virulence mechanisms like fabrication of virulence proteins and toxins, and also spore germination and survival are governed by factors such as atmospheric carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity. A large number of in-vitro experiments to understand interactions between plants and pathogens rely on predetermined pathosystems by making use of ascertained environmental conditions which take into consideration relatively small part of vital plant&ndash;pathogen&ndash;environment interactions occurring in natural ecosystem. Thus, there is a need to research effectiveness of disease management strategies that is, to assess current management strategies to understand multifaceted nature of environment-pathogen interactions for production of crops that are irrepressible to environment change.</div>

Environment-Pathogen Interaction in Plant Diseases

<div>Background: Greengram or mungbean is a diploid (2n=22) autogamous leguminous crop. The average global yield is low and stagnant over years in the entire tropical and subtropical Asia. Any improvement in the yield is hard, predominantly because of pest infestation and diseases. Viral diseases result in significant financial losses due to drop in seed yield and quality in many important crops including greengram. Mungbean yellow mosaic disease (MYMD) can lead to yield loss up to 85% in greengram in epidemic conditions. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University during the period August-October 2020 in three crosses of greengram viz., PLM 506 x IC 76417, PLM 506 x IC 76381 and IC 398746 x IC 76417. The mean data of five basic generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3 of three crosses were evaluated. Populations were screened for MYMV disease resistance by employing infector row method. Scaling test was done using the mean values of various generations for the characters. Significance of scale C suggested dominance x dominance (l) type of gene interaction, whereas the significance of scale D showed additive x additive (i) type of gene interaction. The significance of any of the scaling tests proposes inefficacy of simple additive-dominance model. Five genetic effects viz., mean effect (m), additive (d), dominance (h), additive x additive (i) and dominance x dominance (l) was estimated. 
 
Result: Hundred-seed weight showed additive-dominance model in the cross PLM 506 x IC 76417. The additive as well as additive x additive type of gene action were in control of number(s) of clusters per plant, percentage of disease infection and most of yield components in the cross PLM 506 x IC 76417. Hence, selection at a later generation is effective to improve these traits. Pod length was controlled by additive gene action in the cross PLM 506 x IC 76381, whereas percentage of disease infection showed additive-dominance model. The additive as well as additive x additive type of gene action were in control of plant height and most of yield components in the cross PLM 506 x IC 76381. In the case of other traits, epistatic model was evidenced. Hence, selection needs to be postponed to a later generation. Based on gene action, these crosses may be employed to evolve high yielding plants with MYMV disease resistance.</div>

Generation Mean Analysis for Yield, its Components and MYMV Disease Resistance in Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Background: Charcoal rot disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, poses a significant threat to strawberry cultivation in Maharashtra, India. This study highlights critical factors contributing to disease spread, including climate variables, soil characteristics and farming practices. We propose a comprehensive set of recommendations for improved disease management, aiming to enhance strawberry production and economic outcomes for farmers in Maharashtra. 
 
Methods: This study presents an extensive survey of charcoal rot incidence, severity and management practices in the region. Through rigorous field surveys conducted across 100 strawberry farms during 2020 - 2022 laboratory analyses of 2000 plant samples and detailed interviews with 300 local farmers, we identified the prevalence of the disease, its impact on yield and quality and the effectiveness of current management strategies. 
 
Result: Our findings reveal that 47% of surveyed farms reported charcoal rot incidence, with an average Disease Severity Index of 3.4 on a 5-point scale. Affected farms experienced yield reductions of 18-35% and significant decreases in fruit quality, with economic losses estimated at 150,000-400,000 per hectare. Chemical treatments and crop rotation are commonly employed, their effectiveness varies considerably. Integrated disease management practices showed the most promise in reducing disease severity, with a 40% reduction in DSI compared to conventional methods.

Survey of Charcoal Rot Disease of Strawberry in Maharashtra

<div>Background: Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is an important food legume crop of India. Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) disease is the major problem in blackgram. The disease can reduce seed yield upto 100% or even kill a plant infected at an early vegetative stage. The most effective way to prevent the occurrence of this disease is to develop genetically resistant cultivars of blackgram. However, a major difficulty in breeding MYMV disease resistant in blackgram is field screening for the virus disease.&nbsp;Hence identification of QTL followed by Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is highly useful for genetic improvement of crops. With this background, a study was made for identification as well as validation of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for MYMV disease resistance in blackgram. 
 
Methods: A total of 112 F2:3 lines were evaluated for MYMV disease resistance along with parents viz., MDU 1 (MYMV disease susceptible) and Mash 1008 (MYMV disease resistant) at the National Pulses Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban, Tamil Nadu during July-September 2018 under Augmented Design in the field. Each line was sown in one row of 3 m in length with a spacing of 30 cm as between row and 10 cm as within row. Susceptible genotypes CO 5 and MDU 1 were sown as disease spreader rows after every eight rows and also around the plots. The MYMV disease score was recorded on 60 DAS, by using phenotype rating scale from 1 (resistant) to 9 (highly susceptible), as suggested by Singh et al. (1995). The mean of each progeny was calculated and used as phenotypic data. A total of 525 SSR primers were used to test polymorphism between parents MDU 1 and Mash 1008. Genotyping was carried out for 112 F2:3 RILs of the cross MDU 1 x Mash 1008 with 35 polymorphic SSR markers. Linkage and QTL analyses were performed using QTL IciMapping (version 4.1.0.0) (Wang et al. 2016) and QGene 4.4.0 (Joehanes and Nelson 2008) respectively. Two mapping populations MDU 1 x Mash 114 and CO 5 x VBN 6 in F2:3 and F2 generations respectively were used in this study to validate the identified QTL regions. 
 
Result: QTL study indicated the presence of two major QTLs for MYMV disease score in LG 2 and LG 10 at 60 DAS with 20.90 and 24.90% of phenotypic variation respectively. Validation of these QTLs in two other mapping population indicated that QTL on LG 10 was validated with high phenotypic variation of 45.40-46.00%. Hence it may conclude that qmymv10_60 may be utilized for MAS/MABC with assured improvement on MYMV disease resistance in blackgram.</div>

<div>Identification and Validation of Quantitative Trait Loci of Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus Disease Resistance in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L). Hepper]</div>

<div>Background: Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) disease is the most destructive disease in blackgram. Development of MYMV resistant varieties is one of the best possible solutions to avoid the yield reduction in blackgram. There are conflicting reports on the genetics of resistance to MYMV disease claiming that it is controlled by both dominant and recessive genes. Hence the present study was aimed to understand the inheritance pattern of the MYMV disease resistance in eight crosses of blackgram. 
 
Methods: Parents, F1 and F2 generation of eight cross combinations were raised during July - Sep, 2018 at National Pulses Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban, Tamil Nadu. An infector row of CO 5 was raised to intensify the MYMV disease pressure after every eight rows.&nbsp;Based on disease incidence on 60th day after sowing, two phenotypic classes were formed among F2 plants with the scales of (1 to 3) as resistant phenotype and (4 to 9) as susceptible phenotype. The goodness of fit to Mendelian segregation ratio for MYMV disease resistance in the segregating population was tested by Chi square test (Stansfield, 1991). 
 
Result: The MYMV disease incidence was tri-genically controlled with inhibitory gene action in four crosses viz., MDU 1 x Mash 114, CO5 x Mash 114, MDU 1 x VBN 6 and CO 5 x VBN 6. Complementary gene action with two genes was observed in four crosses viz., MDU 1 x Mash 1008, CO 5 x Mash 1008, MDU 1 x VBN 8 and CO 5 x VBN 8. Differences in number of genes were observed due to the presence of recessive inhibitory gene in both male and female parents of the crosses which had complementary gene action for MYMV disease. The putative gene symbols assigned for the six genotypes viz., S1S1S2S2ii (MDU 1 and CO 5), s1s1s2s2II (Mash 114 and VBN 6) and s1s1s2s2ii (Mash 1008 and VBN 8), respectively.&nbsp;</div>