Tuesday, July 30, 2013

EMERGING ISSUES IN VEGETABLE CROPS AND COTTON DISCUSSED AT PAU WORKSHOP

LUDHIANA, JULY 30:



A one- day workshop on "Whitefly as a Vector of Begomoviruses: An Emerging Threat to Vegetable Crops and Cotton," was jointly organized by the Department of Vegetable Science, and the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG) of the Punjab Agricultural University. Farm experts from USA, and various departments of the University participated in the workshop.



In his presidential remarks, the Director of Research of PAU, Dr S. S. Gosal highlighted the research achievements of the PAU. Observing that climate change, depleting water resources, and farm sustainability are the major concerns, he said that the PAU is open to collaboration that is aimed at sustainable and enhanced crop production.



Dr J. K. Brown, a farm expert from USA, stated that the Indian cropping pattern can contribute to the emergence of new virus strains as their study suggested seven isolates of cotton leaf curl virus in Asia compared to single one existing in the USA. Dr Brown also dwelt upon the high end bioinformatics and biotechnological tools that can be employed for studying the diversity in the viruses and its vector.



Another agriculture expert from USA, Dr Kater Hake presented his exhaustive talk on the cotton and possibilities of collaboration. He emphasized on the production of Gossypol free cotton seed through RNAi for making it suitable for cattle and poultry feed.



Dr Brown and Dr Hake evinced keen interest in entering into joint venture with PAU in the field of geminiviruses and its vector studies.



Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, delegates and the participants, Dr R K Gumber, Head, PBG, highlighted the achievements of the PAU in cotton research and shared the current research priorities.



Dr M.S. Dhaliwal, Head, Vegetable Science, told about the salient achievements in vegetable resistance breeding, especially, with respect to the whitefly transmitted viruses. The presentations were followed by keen discussion amongst the participants.



Dr D.S. Brar, Adjunct Professor at PAU School of Agricultural Biotechnology, motivated the scientists to formulate strategies for managing both vector and viruses. He proposed the vote of thanks.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com

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