Innovative Biotic Stress Management Strategies in Crops

Crops suffer from biotic and abiotic stress during their growing period. Biotic stress in crops is caused by living organisms, specifically viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, arachnids, phanerogamic plants, and weeds. They directly deprive their host of its nutrients leading to reduced plant vigor and, in extreme cases, death of the host plant causing up to 40% yield losses and significantly reducing the quality of the produce annually. This has led to increased concern over food safety and nutritional security in India as well as abroad. Climate change and human interventions have altered ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and creating new niches where pests and pathogens can thrive, and new pests and diseases of crops. The integrative strategies for the management of biotic stresses of crops include managing pests by enhancing the resistance of host plants. Biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods are needed.

In this book, 29 chapters are included covering the general topic and specific crop-based strategies to manage the stresses caused by insect pests and diseases of different crops such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, cash crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices, and plantation crops by using different approaches with the latest information. At the end of each chapter, references are cited which may facilitate the reader to get more detailed information. The book also focuses more on diagnosis of biotic stresses and management by adding recent information, which has practical utility.

The purpose of this book is to provide recent information in the field of biotic stress management in crops to students, researchers, teachers, extension workers and farmers, and those who deal with crops that are vulnerable to biotic stress.

Dr. Dinesh Singh (Principal Scientist) did his M. SC (Ag) and Ph. D. from Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi. He joined ARS services in January 1997 at IIVR, Varanasi and presently working as Head & Principal Scientist at Division of Crop Protection, ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Dinesh Singh has made significant contribution broadly in area of Plant Pathology particularly in the field Plant Bacteriology such as biological control, diagnosis, and diversity under 32 inhouse projects and 13 externally funded projects. He has guided 9 Ph. D and 3 M. Sc. students in the field of plant bacteriology. He has published 192 research papers in pear reviewed reputed journals, 35 books, 110 book chapters, 45 popular articles, 5 technical bulletins, 9 training manuals and 2 practical manuals. He is editor 4 journals. He has been honored and awarded various award such as NESA Fellowship, NABS Fellow, IPS Fellow, SPPS Fellow, Bioved Fellowship Award, Dr. M. M. Alam Medal, Young Scientist Associate Award, Late shri P. P. Shinghal Memorial Award, J. P. Varma Memorial lecture Award, Reviewer Excellence Award, Award for Excellent in Research, Distinguished Scientist in Plant Pathology Award, Best Faculty Award, NESA Green Technology Innovative Award, B P Pal Memorial lecture Award, and MS Pavgi Award, from various professional societies and agencies from various professional societies and agencies.

Dr. Rashid Pervez is working as Principal Scientist at Division of Nematology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Pusa, New Delhi. He mainly is working on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Dr. Pervez has been described six new species of EPN including two are heat tolerant. Dr. Rashid has been Principal Investigator and Co PI of the various Project funded by ICAR, DST and Kerala govt. He guided several M. Sc. Student and Examiner of Ph. D. student. He is serving as Chief editor of scientific journals like Annals of Plant Protection Sciences, Trends in Biosciences and Advances in Life Sciences. He published 77 research papers in reputed international and national journals, 35 book/bulletin, 2 manual, 1 extension folder and 45 scientific popular articles. He has also attended several symposia and conferences and delivered lectures and present 58 research paper. He was recipient of Distinguished Scientist of the Year Award- 2017, Scientist of the Year Award- 2016, ICAR- Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Best Book Award - 2015, SPPS Meritorious Scientist Award - 2015, Dr. Muthuswami Anandaraj Award - 2014, Dr. H. S. Mehta Memorial Award - 2013, Young Scientist Award - 2007, Young Scientist Associate Award – 2005 and Fellow of Nematological Society of India and Society of Plant Protection Sciences.

Dr. Anoop Kumar is a senior scientist Agriculture Entomology at ICAR-NCIPM, New Delhi. He did graduation in Agriculture, i.e. B.Sc Ag from Sardar Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, UP in 2005, M. Sc. in Agriculture Entomology from Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur in 2007 and PhD in Entomology and Agriculture Zoology from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in 2013. He was awarded as vice-chancellor silver medal in graduation, Department topper Fellowship of the University and book prize during Post graduation, ICAR Senior Research Fellowship and INSPIRE Fellowship during PhD. Awarded `Life Fellow’ of Entomological Society of India for devotion to the `Promotion of Research in Entomology’. He implemented 15 research projects as PI and Co-PI He has published more than 25 research papers in various reputed journals, 10 book chapters 10 Popular Articles, and Technical bulletins-2.