Preface Plant diseases in 21st century pose greater challenges for food and nutritional security in the changing climate scenario. Production constraints, especially abiotic stresses, abrupt climatic changes, emergence of new species/ strains of insect-pests and diseases, and increasing deficiency of secondary and micronutrients in the soil. Sustaining food and nutrional security under climate change scenario and increasing the farm income towards zero budget farming is the prime challenges before Indian Agriculture. The extended abstract book intends to address the issues of plant health management in order to move a step closer to achieve the vision of zero budget farming under changing climatic scenario by discussing the problems pertaining to plant health and effective management avenues in their respective areas. Such endeavors will help in upscaling the production technologies by providing better and improved plant health regimes in times to come. In this context, to inculcate recognition and motivation of the young researchers, students and industries to emerging disease threat and to design effective management strategies through various conventional and modern approaches is need of the hour. The chapters in the book provide a current and detailed account of biotic and abiotic constraints that hamper crops. The book has a comprehensive coverage of occurrence distribution, economic importance, symptoms of biotic and abiotic constraints disease cycle, epidemiology and sustainable disease management strategies.

Abstract Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important pulse crop of India and its production is greatly affected by wilt disease. Pigeonpea wilt is a very destructive soil borne disease caused by Fusarium udum. In the experiments, ten treatments were applied viz.; Neem leaf extracts (T1), Garlic extracts (T2), Tulsi leaf extracts (T3), bio-agents Trichoderma viride (T4), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T5), Polymer coating (polycot) @ 4 ml diluted in 5 ml of water per kg of seed (T6), Polymer coaating + Trichoderma viride @ 6.0 g per kg seed (T7), Polymer + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 6.0 g per kg seed (T8), Polymer coating (polycot) 4 ml diluted in 5 ml of water per kg seed + Vitavax power @ 3g per kg seed (T9) and T10 served as untreated. The observations were recorded six times at 10 days intervals and started from 40 days. These polymer alone @ 4.0ml per kg and in combination with bioagents and fungicides were applied to seed were tested against Fusarium udum. The highest per cent disease control and per cent wilt disease incidence were recorded 96.09 to 64.09 and 2.74 to 33.32, respectively in T9 (Polymer + Vitavax power @ 3g per kg seed) at 10 days intervals followed by T8 (Polymer + P. fluorescens) gave 94.46 to 53.06 per cent inhibition, T7 (92.39 to 52.74) and T6 (90.97 to 49.73) however, the lowest per cent disease control was noticed as 76.19 to 40.13 per cent in T1 (Neem leaves extract) amongst all treatments except untreated.

Abstract Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop of India and its production is greatly affected by wilt disease. Pigeon pea wilt is a very destructive soil borne disease caused by Fusarium udum. In present research work plant extracts (Garlic, Neem, Tulsi), bio-agents (Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and fungicides (Vitavax, Bavistin and Thiram + Carbendazim) were tested against Fusarium udum. Among them fungicides were found most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of Fusarium udum recorded 100% inhibition followed by garlic bulb extract (52.12 to 56.33%). Among bioagents, Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibit the growth up to (46.00 to 51.79%) followed by T. viride (44.32 to 48.79%) amongst all treatments except untreated. Keywords: Pigeon pea, Fusarium udum, bio-agent, fungicide Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is one of the major pulse crops grown in the tropics and subtropics belonging to family Leguminaceae. It has wide adaptability and low input requirements mostly grown in kharif season.

Abstract Lentil is an important pulse crop and play very important role in the supply of the protein to under nourished vegetarian population of the country. Fusarium wilt of lentil caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis is one of the wide spread and destructive diseases in India under rice-based cropping system. Use of synthetic fungicides has led to the emergence of several problems like environment pollution, residual effect in grains and killing of non-target organism(s). Hence, for minimizing the losses caused by Fusarium wilt, four plant extracts such as Garlic, Neem, Eucalyptus, Tulsi and three antagonistic bio-agents viz. Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescence were evaluated in vitro. The results clearly showed that all plant extracts were more or less inhibitory to mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis. The effectiveness of extracts increased with increase of their concentration and maximum growth inhibition was obtained in Eucalyptus followed by Garlic and Tulsi. While minimum per cent inhibition was recorded in Neem. Among bio-agents, T. viride showed maximum growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis followed by T. harzianum at both 4 and 7 days incubation period.

Abstract Fusarium wilt is major disease in Central India, the major lentil growing region of country. The disease is soil borne causing heavy loss, development of wilt resistant varieties is most effective means of controlling this disease. Highly resistant sources of wilt in lentil have not been reported from the Indian lentil breeding programme. One hundred thirty lentil genotypes including one susceptible check were evaluated in control conditions of green house against wilt, based on controlled condition screening- LL 1370, IPL 333, PL4, RLG 195, RVL 14-4, L 4737, RKL 607-1, WBL 77, LL 1320, LL 1397, VL 525, LL1379, VL526, RVL14-5, L4717, VL126, L4076, RLG191 and VL150 have been identified as highly resistant genotypes. These can be used in hybridization programme for wilt resistance breeding and studying the inheritance of wilt resistance in lentil.

Abstract Chickpea is one of the major grain legume crops of the tropics and subtropics. It is the second most important pulse crop after pigeon pea in India and is commonly known as gram or Bengal gram is a versatile crop among the grain legumes with a total production of 11.6 (Mt) from 13.2m ha. However, it ranks fifth in the productivity after Fababean, pea, lupin, and lentil and ranks first among the pulses both in acreage and production. Whereas, area under pigeon pea 3.90 mha with a total production and productivity of 2.89 mt and 741 kg/ha, respectively and is commonly known as red gram or Arhar is a very old crop of India. The chromosome number of pigeon pea is 2n = 22 chromosomes. They are the rich source of protein and supplies a major share of the protein requirement of the vegetarian population of the country. Chickpea accounts for 70.7% of the world Chickpea production n India followed by Australia, Pakistan, Turkey, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Iran USA, Canada and Mexico. Both crops are used as an important source of protein in human nutrition and cattle feed. Chickpea is considered to have medicinal effects and it is used for blood purification. Chickpea contains 21% protein, 61.5% carbohydrate, 4.5% fat. Its seed is also rich in protein, starch, fiber, calcium, iron and niacin, malic and oxalic acid, which makes it one of the best nutritionally balanced pulses for human consumption. However, like any other pulses, the chickpea seed also contains antinutrional factors, which can be reduced or eliminated by cooking. Both crops enrich the soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the root nodules and improve the soil structure. It is also to improve soil fertility by biological nitrogen fixation which helps reduce the input cost for the existing crop. These crops usually receive few inputs other than labor, insecticides and seed. Chickpea is a crop of both tropical and temperate regions. Low yield of chickpea attributed to its susceptibility to several fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. In general, estimates of yield losses by individual insects and diseases range from 5 to 10% in temperate regions and 50 to 100% in tropical regions. Whereas, Pigeon pea can be attacked by more than 100 pathogens. These include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and mycoplasma like organisms. Fortunately, only a few of them cause economic losses and the distribution of the most important diseases is geographically restricted. The diseases of considerable economic importance at present are Fusarium wilt, sterility mosaic, phytopthera blight and alternaria blight.

Abstract The major losses of banana at present by Panama wilt disease pathogen of banana and its management is very typical because it is caused by a soil-borne pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. c u b e n s e ). The micronutrients are used to manage the disease as well as it provides the healthiness of plant and increases the fertility of the soil that’s why the plant is free from the disease or less infected. An experiment of micronutrients was conducted in the laboratory of plant pathology BAU, Sabour for Invitro evaluation of the micronutrients viz. Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ammonium Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Nitrate, Borax and Potassium Chloride against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense causing Panama wilt of banana. The results of the experiment revealed that among the micronutrients used, Borax @ 500 and 750 ppm completely inhibited the mycelial growth of FOC followed by Zinc Sulfate (45.7, 42.6, 39.2 and 18.5 mm at 100, 250, 500 and 750 ppm respectively). The incorporation of borax in the solid medium at higher concentrations viz., 500 and 750 ppm is very effective for the management of Panama wilt disease of banana. This approach leads to maintain our ecosystem sustainability for a longer time and manage the disease.

Abstract Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an important pulse crop grown in India. It is a short duration annual with yellow flowers and fuzzy brown pods. Majority of the mungbean grown in India is under rainfed conditions and the productivity of mungbean is not upto the mark to meet the daily dietary requirement of a populous country like India. The biotic and abiotic stresses in mungbean, majorly MYMV, powdery mildew, drought, salinity, water logging etc leaves a severe yield loss in mungbean crop. Among them, MYMV and powdery mildew diseases show yield losses accounting upto 85% and 40%, respectively in severe conditions. The present review paper is based on the study of both biotic and abiotic stresses and the recent advances in breeding for resistance to stresses. A detail explanation of major diseases and insect pests affecting mungbean are discussed along with the information of genomic resources and research done in mungbean in recent years. Recently SSR’s have been using widely for all molecular level research work like genetic diversity, constructing linkage maps for identifying QTL’s, marker assisted breeding etc. in mungbean. The resistant varieties developed against these biotic and abiotic stresses are listed which are very important for attaining a prominent yield in mungbean.

Abstract Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is an important rabi leguminous annual herb with rich source of protein and other balanced nutrition. Lentil is susceptible to many insect-pests and diseases which causes significant yield loss which may range from 50 to 100% leading to one of the most important biotic constraints in productivity. The major fungal diseases in lentil are Fusarium wilt, Ascochyta blight and rust which causes severe losses in lentil production. Other minor diseases like botrytis grey mould, anthracnose, alternaria, stem rot, collar rot and some viral diseases also infect the lentil field under condusive environment conditions. Coming to major insect pests of lentil viz. helicoverpa, aphids, leaf weevils and lygus bugs with several noteworthy minor field pests such as thrips and cutworm with few storage pests that infest the crop. With an integrated blueprint of disease management, one can minimize risk of yield loss by following modified package and practices with need based use of pesticides, thus maximizing profit in lentil production.

Abstract A field experiment was carried out during rabi 2012-13 at Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur to assess the effect of different herbicides on microbial population dynamics of soil in winter maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment comprised of ten weed management treatments involving various herbicides (acetochlor @ 1.125, 2.25 and 4.5 kg a.i. ha-1, atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1, alachlor @ 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence and 2,4-Diethyl ester @ 0.6 kg a.i. ha-1and topramezone @ 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1+ atrazine @ 0.25 kg a.i. ha-1 as post-emergence including weed free and weedy check laid in randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that all the herbicides’ treatment showed significant adverse effect on microbial population in rhizospheric soil of winter maize up to 45 days after sowing. Further, there was reduction in soil microbial population occurred in all the herbicides treated plots up to said time period as compared with weed free and weedy check. Initially the soil microbial population in weed free plot was much higher than that of weedy check, however, it was found in reverse trends in rest of the time intervals as well as harvest. Thereafter, soil microbial population was gradually increasing at different time intervals and at harvest, their population increased considerably in herbicidal treated plots though the weed free and weedy check showed higher soil microbial population than other herbicide treated plots.

Abstract Spot blotch of wheat is devastating disease as one of the yield limiting factor especially in north eastern plains zone and also in north western plains zone of India. Chemical fungicides play an important role in controlling the spot blotch in India due to non availability of spot blotch resistant commercial varieties. To identify the suitable chemicals method and time of application, various fungicides thiram 37.5% WP, carboxin 37.5% WP +, propiconazole 25% EC, tebuconazole 25% EC and mancozeb 75% WP) were evaluated either as seed treatment or foliar sprays or in combination under artificial epiphytotic in vivo conditions for two crop seasons. Seed treatment (ST) by thiram + carboxin @ 2.5 g/kg of seed along with Foliar spray (FS) of propiconazole @ 0.1% at boot leaf stage on Flag-1 leaf followed by second spray at 20 days interval (two sprays) resulted in best management of spot blotch in severe conditions. It was found that the fungicide treatment not only reduced the spot blotch disease but also increases the grain yield.

Abstract The present investigation was carried out in okra consisting of 11 diverse genotypes (8 lines & 3 testers) and their 24 F1 hybrids. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation indicated positive association of average fruit length with average fruit weight while negative association between days taken to first flower with number of fruits per plant. The maximum positive direct effect on yield was due to number of fruits per plant followed by average fruit weight. The F1 hybrid VRO-6 × Parbhani Kranti exhibits highest negative heterobeltiosis for days taken to 1st flowering while D-1-87-5 × Pusa A-4 and Arka Abhay × Parbhani Kranti are earliest heterobeltiotic hybrids for days taken to 1st harvest. The hybrid Arka Abhay × Pusa A-4 represents highest heterobeltiosis for average fruit length, number of fruits/ plant and average yield. Among all parents, only Akra Abhay exhibits better GCA effect. The highest SCA effect for average yield observed in VRO-6 × Arka Anamika, while VRO-6 × Pusa A-4 for per cent infestation of YVMV. The cross Arka Abhay × Pusa A-4 incurred the highest net returns/ ha and B: C ratio (3.21) followed by that of D-1-87-5 × Parbhani Kranti and the parent Hisar Unnat gave the higher net returns/ ha with B: C ratio of 2.02 among the parents. These elite hybrids may be tested for yield and other quality traits under different agro-climatic conditions for commercial exploitation of hybrid vigour.

Abstract The agricultural scientists particularly those who are in advisory service, irrespective of specialization, are often approached by the farmers with diseased samples of their crops and sought advice on plant protection strategy. The strategy includes components of control measures, doses, mode and time of application. In the present article different steps of formulation of plant disease control strategy are discussed. To further elaborate the contents, examples from integrated management strategy of mango malformation disease is cited. Keyword: Mango Malformation Introduction Mango malformation, disease was first time reported from Darbhanga District of Bihar State in 1891 by G. Watt. The disease is currently prevalent in almost all the mango growing country and is thus designated as the plant disease of International importance and previously considered to be a serious problem in the northern parts of the country, has now started to appear in central India too in severe form. It is well known, the mango malformation is the most serious disease, rendering mango cultivation non-lucrative in subcontinent and other regions of the world (Ahmad et al., 2002; Ploetz, 2001). Mango malformation caused by fungus Fusarium moniliforme var. Subglutinans, are proved (Freeman 1999; Zheng and Ploetz, 2002). Recently, these isolates were described as members of a new species, F. mangiferae Britz, Wingfield and Marasas sp nov. (Britz et al., 2002). The casual organism of mango malformation grows well at lower temperature and higher relative humidity. The disease is quite common in both grafted and the seedling plants (Kumar and Chakrabarti, 1997). The symptoms manifest as bunchy top (BT) in 4-5 month old seedlings in the nursery, vegetative malformation (VM) of twigs arising from axillary buds and malformation of inflorescence (MF). Normally floral malformation is more prevalent in bearing trees than vegetative malformation. Flowers in the malformed panicle are much enlarged and crowded with hypertrophied axes of the panicle. Malformed inflorescences/ panicle of different varieties were variable in respect of their shapes, sizes, growth and compactness, depending upon the cellular structure and physiology under environmental factors (Chakrabarti et al., 1990). Generally malformed inflorescences produce no fruit, or abort already stages (Schloser, 1971) and is directly responsible for reduction in yield (Kumar et al., 1993 and Singh et al., 1998). In the present study the incidence of Floral malformation on a large number of mango cultivars was recorded over a period of 5 years with a view to identify the entries of future resistant breeding programme.

Abstract Mushroom production is emerging as an added dimension in agriculture diversity; its cultivation lies on the utilization of agricultural wastes rich in proteinaceous materials. Five different substrates such as wheat straw, maize cob, paddy straw, banana pseudo stem, and lentil straw were used with suitable supplements to evaluate the average period of spawn run, pin head initiation, time taken for harvesting of flushes, fruit yield during both crop season 2014 and 2015. In 2014, highest fruit yield (380.3 g/ 500g) were recorded when wheat straw supplemented with rice bran (2% of the substrate weight), corn flour @ 25 g/kg prepared straw and gypsum @ 20 g/kg straw among various used substrates. This treatment also resulted better in respect of time taken for spawn run (9.3 days), pin head initiation (11.7 days), time taken for harvesting of flushes (Ist flush- 20.5, IInd flush-26.7, IIIrd flush- 32.9). The second best treatment was paddy straw when supplemented with rice bran (2% of the substrate weight), corn flour @ 25 g/kg prepared straw, and gypsum @ 20 g/kg. The lowest fruit yield (193.6 g/500g), time taken for spawn run (15.9 days), pin head initiation (22.4 days), time taken for harvesting of flushes (Ist flush- 27.9, IInd flush-37.1, IIIrd flush- 44.7) were recorded with banana pseudostem (chopped) when supplemented with rice bran (2 % of the substrate weight), corn flour @ 25 g/kg prepared straw and CaCO3 gypsum @ 20 g/kg straw. The same experiment was repeated during the year crop season 2015. Surprisingly wheat straw supplemented with rice bran (2% of the substrate weight), corn flour @ 25 g/kg prepared straw and gypsum @ 20 g/kg prepared straw was found again superior over other treatments with more or less similar performance. Similarly more or less same performances were resulted in rest of the treatment too. The incidence of mould infection in mushroom was also noticed in accordance with the kinds of substrates used during both crop season 2014 and 2015. Lowest incidence of mould i.e. green mould (5.13 %), black mould (3.10 %) and blue mould (2.42%) was observed on wheat straw when supplemented with rice bran (2% of the substrate weight), corn flour @ 25 g/kg prepared straw and gypsum @ 20 g/kg straw, green mold (3.13 %), black mold (3.10 %) and blue mold (2.42 %). Similarly more or less same pattern of mould incidence was reported in the crop season 2015.

Abstract Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), an important cash crop of India, is prone to many diseases and amongest these, late blight [Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de-Bary] is one of the highly destructive diseases and a major constraint in the profitable cultivation of potato. After realizing the significance of controlling the devastating disease for the sustainability in potato production and thus ensuring more profitability, the present investigation has been conducted with an objective to select the most effective fungicides and botanicals for the management of the disease. The present study was carried out by KVK, Saharsa during rabi season for consecutive two years (2015-16 and 2016-17) as On-Farm Trial mode at farmers fields of an adopted village of Saharsa district in Bihar. In each trial, there were four treatments including one control i.e. farmers’practice. The study concludes that the best treatment option to combat late blight disease is Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride @ 5g per kg of seed and spray of Ridomil @ 2g per litre of water starting from 30 DAP alternating with Dimethomorph 1g + ridomil 2g per litre of water at 10 days intervals. The results of economic analysis reveal that the net return as well as benefit cost ratio was also highest in Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride @ 5g per kg of seed and spray of Ridomil @ 2g per litre of water starting from 30 DAP alternating with Dimethomorph 1g + ridomil 2g per litre of water at 10 days intervals.

Introduction The term biological control was first used in scientific literature in 1914. Baker and Cook (1974) described biological control as “reduction of inoculum density or disease producing activities of a pathogen or parasite in its active or dormant state, by one or more organisms, accomplished naturally or thoroughly manipulation of environment, host, or antagonists or by mass introduction of one or more antagonists.” Certain genera of fungi have greater potential for being effective bio-control agents eg. Trichoderma, Gliocladium, Chaetomium; entomogenous fungi as Entomophthora, Beauveria, Metarrhizium, Hirsutella; Nematophagous viz., Catenaria, Zoopage, Stylopage, Paecilomyces and predaceaus fungi like Arthrobotrys, Dictylella, Dactylaria and Nematoctonus (Narain, 2018). Biopesticide formulations based on these fungi are also called as “Microbial pesticides”.

Abstract Palms are generally grown commercially in tropical climate. But some of the palms like coconut, areca nut and palmyra palm are cultivated successfully in West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, and some pockets of Bihar that lies under sub tropics of India.Due to unsuitable climatic factor their production is more affected by abiotic and biotic stress including different kinds of diseases. The important disease are bud rot, basal stem end rot, nut shedding,stem bleeding in coconut, mahali disease, foot rot, stem breaking in arecanut and palmyra palm in the region have negligible incidence of diseases. These destructive diseases are the major constrain in production and causes severe yield loss in these palm fruits. Therefore effective management strategies are required by continuous monitoring the incidence and severity of these diseases caused by different pathogens. Integrated disease management is the most accepted strategies for sustainable crop production that involves the holistic approach integrating cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical and biological means to control the disease. However, results of the disease management trials depend upon soil condition, age of the crop, stage of disease development and weather parameters of that particular area. Although it is impossible to manage a field free of pathogen but considerable reduction of the disease can be achieved through a proper integrated disease management system. Thus the causes and remedy of the diseases prevalent mainly in palms particularly in subtropical conditions has been reviewed for better management and sustainable production.

Abstract Fungal rot and wilt caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease of vegetables causing huge loss. The fungus has a broad host of more than 400 species including diverse vegetable crops, viz., carrot, potato, tomato, green pepper, eggplant, lettuce, peas and beans, cole crops, bottle gourd, pointed gourd, etc. Being able to overwinter in the soil in form of sclerotia upto 5 years and having such a wide host range, management of the disease becomes very difficult. Thus development of resistant varieties can be the only long term strategy for control of the pathogen. The screening of the existing genotypes and identification of resistant genotypes forms the base of any resistant breeding programme. The widely available genotypes of different crops have been screened by several researchers and resistant genotypes have been identified in cauliflower, vegetable soybean, peas, tomato, etc. These genotypes are further used in breeding programmes for as donors for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Keywords: Vegetables, Sclerotinia, Resistance breeding, Genotypic screening

Abstract India ranks first among world’s mango producing countries accounting for about 50 % of the world’s total mango production. In Bihar it is the most important fruit crop as well as occupies a large area affecting socio economic conditions of the region. The crop suffers from over 140 diseases all over the world. From young seedlings to mature trees and fruits in their all stages from start to storage may suffer from a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. All parts of the plant namely, trunk, branch, twigs, leaf, petiole, flower and fruits are prone to attack by a number of pathogens The changes in climatic patterns and shifting towards commercial cultivation of this crop has seen the emergence of some diseases which can cause huge losses to the production of mango over the years. One such problem, decline in mango is reported to be a complex problem involving multitude of factors. Decline disorders are recognized in virtually all mango-producing regions of the world. In most cases, the disease has been characterized by leaf drooping and drying; bark splitting, gum secretion from branches and main trunk, bud necrosis, dieback, vascular discoloration and death of the whole tree. The bark beetle Hypocryphalus mangiferae is closely associated with trees affected by mango sudden decline disease. Report suggests the causal agent to be Botryodiplodia theobromae, Ceratocystis manginecans, Fusarium spp, Colletotrichum sp, Pestalosiopsis maniferae. In most of the cases Botryodiplodia theobromae, Ceratocystis spp are associated with it. Although, none of the pathogens isolated could singly incite the complete decline symptoms under artificial inoculation on mango seedlings indicating towards complex etiology of the disease. Since pathogens are endophytic in nature; mangement of the pathogen after infection is difficult and relies more upon prohytalctic measures. Over all plant health, its nutritional status and abiotic conditions of flood and drought are also the pre disposing factors to decline in Mango. Effective management of decline in mango needs holistic approaches using optimum nutrition, general sanitation, routine crop protection schedule, weed management and appropriate intercropping practices.

Abstract Onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) are important members of the family Amaryllidaceae. Bulbs, which are the edible component in both onion and garlic grow underground and are of nutritional and medicinal importance. These underground bulb vegetables are affected by many diseases caused by different microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, nematode and viruses causing huge economic loss. Stemphylium leaf blight caused by Stemphylium vesicarium, is the major fungal disease affecting their productivity of the edible bulbs adversely.The fungus primarily attacks the leaves but can affect bulbs in storage. Initial infection is characterised by appearance of small greyish white oval spots on the leaves. These spots are often surrounded by a yellowish halo with irregular margins. Fungal pseudothecia may over-winter in contaminated plant material or may survive in the soil having plant debris and ascospores are the primary inoculums in the following season. Spores require rain or persistent dew to cause infection. This disease can spread rapidly when environmental conditions are favourable for spore development. Suitable integration of more efficient treatments like fungicides, bio agents in combination with appropriate cultural control provide better management of the Stemphylium blight disease

Abstract Bacterial diseases of solanaceous crops like tomato, brinjal, chilli, capsicum and potato are the most serious and destructive diseases affecting both under field and greenhouse conditions. Under moist field conditions they can cause epidemics to affect total crop loss, quality of the produce and reduce market value. These diseases can be distinguished from each other on the basis of their symptoms appearance of the various parts of the plant as well as by using advanced techniques of diagnosis. Diagnosis of the disease is important step to detect pathogen at early stage of disease and subsequently manage it effectively in efficient manner. Keywords: Bacterial diseases, solanaceous crops, symptoms, diagnosis. Introduction Bacterial diseases of solanaceous crops like tomato, brinjal, chilli, capsicum and potato are the most serious and destructive diseases affecting both under field and greenhouse conditions. Under moist field conditions they can cause epidemics to affect total crop loss, quality of the produce and reduce market value. These diseases can be distinguished from each other on the basis of their symptoms appearanceofthe various parts of the plant as well as by using advanced techniques of diagnosis. Diagnosis of the disease is important step to detect pathogen at early stage of disease and subsequently manage it effectively in efficient manner. Therefore, the early detection of the bacterium from asymptomatic plants, soil, and water and plant residues could facilitate elimination and certainly reduce the risk of crop loss. Powerful tools for the identification and detection of the bacterium in diverse substrates (plant, seed, water and soil) are available for diagnosis of the bacterial diseases. DNA amplification of pathogen offers many advantages over classical techniques; neither purification nor cultivation of the pathogen is required and the specificity, sensitivity and response time of tests are improved. Nevertheless, the PCR method has not yet become a routine diagnostic tool for many laboratories, mainly because of the inhibition of the amplification reaction by compounds contained in crude bacterial extracts, which give false negative results or low detection sensitivity.

Abstract Information and Communication Technology (ICT) played and continue to play pivotal role in better decision making of farmers for plant health management under the climate change scenario. For judicious plant health management by farmers through the use of ICT tools (viz. interactive Kiosk, Mobile Apps, Whatsapp, Webportal), information need and information access network to be assessed. Based on farmers’ information need and network, information delivery tree should be designed in ICT tools. Under this backdrop this research work was carried out among the farmers of Bhagalpur district of Bihar. The sample size was 120. From the study it was noted that the major information needs of the farmers were seed availability, crop disease management, insect pest management, weed management and weather information and pesticide application. Farmers were enthusiastic to improve their knowledge on insect pests and disease identification and management. Specifically, farmers need information on insect pest management of wheat (aphid), maize (stem borer), vegetables (fruit borer), pulses (pod borer) and oilseeds (aphid) and also disease management of wheat (leaf blight and spot blotch disease), maize (Turcicum leaf blight), vegetables (wilt and leaf spot) and pulses (wilt disease). Farmers decision making was positively and significantly correlated with crop disease management(0.196*),insect pest management of crop(0.208*) and weed management(0.239**). Through the Path Analysis it was noted that farmers decision making on disease management was mediated by the variables - Bihar Agricultural University-Kisan Diary, Mobile Apps(Bihar Krishi Apps) and Kisan Salahkar. So, it can be concluded that these much needed information should be provided to the farmers though different ICT tools and extension personnel should be trained to operate these ICT tools for accelerated use of ICT tools by the farmers.