Plant Pathology in India

Plant Pathology Course Career Option. Find the Job Prospects and Opportunities for a Plant Pathologist right here.

The field of plant pathology in India offers a variety of career opportunities. Many plant pathologists are seen to hold various positions at academic, state or federal government level and also in private sector.
Plant Pathology course is a branch of agricultural science that deals with the study of fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and other microbes that cause diseases of plants. This branch focuses on understanding how hosts, pathogens and environments interact to cause plant diseases and on understanding how to control such diseases.

Who is Plant Pathologist? A plant pathologist is a professional who specializes in plant health, just like a physician specializes in human health or a veterinarian in animal health. Keeping plants healthy requires an understanding of the organisms and agents that cause disease as well as an understanding of how plants grow and are affected by disease. Plant pathologists are employed by colleges and universities, state and federal government agencies, industrial firms, international institutes, and as private practitioners.

Responsibility and Job Prospects: Plant Pathologists make every effort to keep plant life healthy. The various living organisms(called pathogens) which cause plant diseases are fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, phytoplasmas, protozoa, and parasitic plants, whereas the various non-living agents responsible for causing such diseases include air pollutants, nutrient imbalances and various environmental factors. New diseases and changes in existing pathogens pose a constant threat to the forests, food and fiber crops as well as to the landscape plants. A Plant Pathologist faces a constant challenge to develop new and innovative methods of checking plant diseases.
Considerable research is necessary before implementing the techniques which will help to effectively control plant diseases in ways that are economical, environment-friendly as well as consumer-friendly. The effective disease management methods vary from region to region due to diverse environment, soil type, cropping practices and plant varieties.
The collaboration of the bioengineers with the Plant pathologists results in developing disease-resistant plant varieties, preserving food from spoilage, developing new strains of organisms for biological control and developing processes for solid waste disposal. Interactions between plants and their pathogens are studied at all levels of biological organization, from molecules to organisms to ecosystems.
Plant pathologists are employed by Cooperative Extension Service, by industry, or as private practitioners they work directly with agricultural producers, food processors, forest managers or other professionals involved in growing or managing plants. Those appointed as Private Practitioners work directly with Agricultural Producers, Food Processors, Forest Managers, or other Professionals who are involved in the growth or management of plants. Plant pathologists also teach in colleges and universities where they convey their knowledge of plant health to subsequent generations of plant pathologists and other professionals.

Opportunities: Acquiring a Bachelor degree in either biology or chemistry or mathematics from an accredited College or University is the first step towards becoming a Plant Pathologist. Certain employment opportunities may be enhanced by undergraduate coursework or a major in plant pathology. For example, In India plant pathology expertise is useful for farm and greenhouse managers, park and golf course superintendents, agribusiness sales representatives and other biological science positions requiring a bachelor's degree.
Employment opportunities include research, product development, sales, teaching, extension, administration, regulatory work, and private practice. Certain institutions also offer advanced degrees in crop protection or plant health that combine curriculum in crop science, soil science, entomology, weed science and plant pathology with practical experience to prepare graduates for careers as private or public practitioners of plant health management. The expanding interest in the quality of our global environment and increasing global demand for high-quality food, fiber, tree and ornamental plants provide many opportunities for plant pathologists. These professionals are often sought by government and nonprofit organizations and corporations to be a part of the specialists’ team addressing international agricultural development. Such employment may be on a continuing or a consulting basis.

Remuneration: A fresh graduate from a well-recognized agricultural university can earn an initial package of Rs. 15,000 - Rs. 22,000 per month. An experienced person could be offered between Rs. 45, 000 – Rs. 60,000. Senior pathologists having experience up to ten years in the field, earn higher salaries. A lecturer in this filed can earn a lucrative amount plus dearness allowances. Those who qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) can perform research in this field and the fellowship is Rs. 12,000 per month.