Future Vision

Food production in India has exceeded the target of 191 million tones in1995-96. Hybrid varieties of rice, maize, sorughum and cotton as well as improved varieties of wheat, rice, potato and sugarcane ushered the green revolution, which was possibly only with adequate plant protection measures. It gives the credit to plant pathologists that there  have been no famine after the great Bengal famine of 1942-43. However, the agricultural production requires to be tripled in the developing countries. Since increase in area in the developing world is not possible, the increased food production must come by raising yield per unit area. The development of new cultivars resistance to pests and diseases and abiotic stresses, must be adapted to different agroclimatic conditions to ensure sustainable production. The area of durable host-plant resistant to pests and diseases has to play a very important role in this direction. More emphasis has to be given for eco-friendly management of the pests and diseases. The role of plant growth promoting or deterious rhizobacteria as well as antagonists is being better understood and their population need manipulative control. The biotechnological techniques in tissue culture and DNA manipulation may be useful in developing commercial cultivars. It is hoped that that recommendations of the plant pathologists will solve not only the emerging problems of plant diseases and increase production but would also benefit the mankind.

Vision Statement The IPS will be a diverse global community of scientists that: provides credible and beneficial information related to plant health; advocates and participates in the exchange of knowledge with the public, policy makers, and the larger scientific community; and promotes and provides opportunities for scientific communication, career preparation and professional development for its members. A group of IPS members, charged with the mission of articulating a vision for the future of plant pathology, came together to develop "A Vision of Plant Pathology in the 21st Century," where five interacting "areas of endeavor" were identified. As the Vision Tree depicts, the group identified education as the foundation of our discipline, with research and the practice of plant pathology closely linked through a robust, coordinated network promoting communication among the increasingly diverse plant pathologists of the future.

Using Plant Pathology to Grow Better Plants  Plant pathology is an interdisciplinary science that includes knowledge of botany, microbiology, crop science, soil science, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology. Most plant pathologists have master's and doctoral degrees and are employed by colleges and universities, state and federal government agencies, industrial firms, international institutes; and as private practitioners.

Management of Plant Diseases Plant diseases are caused by living organisms (called pathogens) such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, phytoplasmas, protozoa, and parasitic plants; and by nonliving agents such as air pollutants, nutrient imbalances, and various environmental factors. New diseases and changes in existing pathogens remain a constant threat to our forests, food and fiber crops, and landscape plants. Development of new and innovative ways to control plant diseases is a constant challenge for plant pathologists. Plant diseases may be managed by altering the host plant, the pathogen, and/or the environment. Examples include growing resistant plant varieties, planting pathogen-free seed or stock, applying a biological control agent, modifying environmental conditions to decrease disease, and using plant medicines that inhibit or kill the pathogen without harming the plant or the environment.