3-day convention on plant pathology and climate-resilient agriculture concludes at KU

Srinagar: The Department of Botany, University of Kashmir (KU), concluded the three-day 43rd Annual National Convention of the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP), held from October 29 to 31, on the theme “Advances and Challenges in Plant Pathology under Climate Resilient Agriculture.”

Organised in collaboration with ISMPP and Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, the convention aimed to explore research approaches, disease management strategies and scientific interventions to protect crops and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture.

The event was sponsored by Teknocare Engineers, Next Gen Life Sciences, Frutech Agro Genetix, Unique Scientific, J&K Bank, Hazratbal, and JK Science Technology and Innovation Council. The inaugural ceremony was graced by J&K Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives, Shri Javid Ahmad Dar.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony, KU Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada highlighted the importance of plant pathology research in addressing agricultural challenges.

“Research in plant pathology is vital for understanding emerging crop diseases and developing effective strategies to protect agricultural production under changing climatic conditions,” he said.

Dr T. R. Sharma, former Deputy Director General, ICAR, and National Fellow, IARI, New Delhi, emphasised the need for sustained research and scientific collaboration to address crop protection challenges. Delivering the R. Prasad Memorial Lecture, he shared insights from his research journey spanning over three decades, with particular focus on rice and rice blast. He was also felicitated with the Prof. S. S. Chahal Lifetime Achievement Award.

ISMPP President Prof. S. S. Chahal and KU Department of Botany Head and Convention Convenor Prof. Aijaz Ahmad Wani also shared their remarks.

Prof. Pokhar Rawal, Secretary, ISMPP, announced the Society’s awards, including those for the presidential lecture, memorial lecture and competitions. Earlier, Organising Secretary Prof. Mohd. Yaqub welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the convention.

The convention brought together scientists, researchers, faculty members and young scholars from various institutions. The programme featured invited, memorial and contributed oral presentations, along with around 49 poster presentations. Awards were presented across four oral presentation sessions, two poster presentation sessions and a special category.

The proceedings were conducted by Prof. Anzar Khuroo, faculty member in the Department of Botany, while Prof. Najeeb Mughal, Co-organising Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks.

The organising committee, comprising Co-convenor Abdul Hamid Wani and Co-organising Secretaries Dr. Pokhar Rawal, Dr. Mohmad Arief Zargar, Dr. Sajad un Nabi and Prof. Mohd. Najeeb Mughal, thanked the participants and delegates for their contributions. The organisers also acknowledged the active participation and contribution of the Division of Plant Pathology, SKUAST-K, Wadura, to the successful conduct of the convention.

Award winners

In Session 1, Dr. Massarat Fatima of the University of Hyderabad secured first place, followed by Bharat Raj Meena of ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, in second place, and Dr. Somshetty Ravali of Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University in third place.

In Session 2, Dr. Sajeena A. of Kerala Agricultural University won first place. Mujtaba Abdullah Kumar of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar, secured second place, while Pardeep Kumar of ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, took third place.

In Session 3, Zohra Shabir of ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) won first place, followed by Suhail Quyoom Wani of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in second place and Abhay Kumar Panday of TRA Research Association, NBRRDC, in third place.

In Session 4, Dr. Adnan Shakeel of the Central University of Kashmir secured first place. Kamran Muneer and Suhaib Shabir Bhat, both from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), won second and third places, respectively.

Poster presentation

In Session 1, Subaya Manzoor of ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Srinagar, won first place. Bisma Majid of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) secured second place, while Ojasvini Thakur of Punjab Agricultural University took third place.

In Session 2, Diksha Banal of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) won first place, followed by Saira Banoo in second place and Iram Iqbal in third place, both from SKUAST-K.

Syed Bazila Sameen received the Oral Presentation Special Award, while Pulkit Mittal received the Special Award.