Hisar, 22 March (Hissar). Scientists of Haryana Agricultural University have discovered a new disease of pea and its causative bacterium Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris (16 SR 1). The prestigious journal Plant Disease published by the American Phytopathological Society (APS), USA, which recognizes new diseases in plants, has recognized the report of this new disease by scientists by accepting it as the first research report in the journal.
The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is one of the oldest international scientific organizations for the study of plant diseases and produces world-class publications specifically on plant diseases. Scientists of Haryana Agricultural University are the first scientists in the world to discover this disease. These scientists have presented a research report on Phytoplasma disease in pea, which has been recognized by the organization at the international level and published in its journal.
University Vice Chancellor Dr. BR Kamboj on Friday congratulated the scientists for this discovery. Pro. Kamboj said that in the changing agricultural scenario, timely identification of emerging threats to various crops has become important. He asked scientists to keep a close watch on the further spread of the disease. He said that scientists should start work on disease control as soon as possible. On this occasion, OSD Dr. Atul Dhingra, Chairman of Vegetable Department Dr. SK Tehlan, Chairman of Plant Disease Department Dr. Anil Kumar, Media Advisor Dr. Sandeep Arya and SVC Kapil Arora were also present.
Symptoms were seen in the pea crop in the year 2023
Research Director Dr. Jeetram Sharma said that for the first time in February-2023, a new type of disease was seen in the pea crop in Central State Farm, Hisar, in which 10 percent of the pea plants had become dwarf and bushy. After hard work, HAU scientists have discovered Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris (16SR1), the causative agent of this disease. He said early detection of the disease would help in developing a planned breeding programme.
Dr. Jagmohan Singh Dhillon, the main researcher of this disease and plant pathologist of the university, said that this research report has been published by the international scientific organization American Phytopathological Society, USA during March, 2024. HAU scientists Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chugh, Dr. Dharamvir Doohan and Dr. Hemawati and Dr. Kirti Rawat from IARI, New Delhi also contributed to this research work.