Srinagar: Two days national symposium on ‘Impact of climate change on emerging plant diseases’ concluded at SKUAST-K Shalimar, Srinagar. The event jointly organised by Division of Plant Pathology, SKUAST-K and IndianPhytopathological Society (IPS), New Delhi covered different research areas including detection and Eco-friendly management of plant diseaseviza-a-viz climate change.
The event concluded with a valedictory function in which Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof. Shabir Ahmad Wani welcomed the guests and outlined the importance of pests and diseases, economic losses caused by them and need of accurate crop loss estimates.Dr. MehrajD. Shah, Organising Secretary presented the detailed report of the two days national symposium.
Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Ex. Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K raised concerns over the incidence of hitherto unknown diseases of fruits, vegetables and crops. He hoped that the university would develop cost effective diagnostic methods and robust management strategies.
TheChief Guest Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai,Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir Complimented the organisers and thanked the Indian Phytopathological Society for choosingSKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar J&K to hold the event.He impressed upon the researchers to develop climate smart and disease resistant varieties and decision support system for forewarning of plant diseases.
He emphasized the need to develop cost effective and eco-friendly technologies for the improvement of rural livelihood under climate change scenarios. The Chief Guest also congratulated and felicitated the student awardees for their best paper presentations especially those who have been recommended at zonal level for national competition.
Prof. Robin Gogoi, Secretary, IPS, New Delhi gave valuable remarks about the Indian Phytopathological society and encouraged students to participate in national and international conferences. Prof. Raihana H. Kant, Dean FOA, Wadura also graced the occasion & hoped the concerned scientist shall work seriously on the recommendation that came out of the symposium. The valedictory session ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. ShaheenKauser Jan, Prof. & Head, Division of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Horticulture.

KR Desk