A diagnostic field visit conducted by the Department of Plant Pathology, SAIRAM, Langjing Achouba, has brought to light the prevalence of several economically important plant diseases affecting horticultural and field crops across Kabowakching and Leimaram villages. The one-day visit, held on October 13, was carried out under the guidance of Prof. H. S. Shekhar Sharma, Director of SAIRAM, and coordinated by the Department of Plant Pathology.
The visiting team, led by Dr. Nongthombam Olivia Devi, Assistant Professor, and Dr. W. Tampakleima Chanu, documented a range of serious crop diseases that pose significant threats to local agriculture and horticultural productivity. A total of 12 students—including M.Sc. (Agri.) students of Plant Pathology and Horticulture, and B.Sc. (Agri.) students—participated in the study tour, aimed at strengthening practical disease identification and management skills.
Among the findings, Crown rot of strawberry emerged as a particularly destructive disease, causing reddish-brown discoloration and rotting of the crown tissue, often leading to complete plant collapse. Other notable diseases observed on strawberry crops included leaf spot, which can severely affect leaf photosynthetic efficiency and fruit quality.
In maize fields, the team identified northern corn leaf blight, a fungal infection known for its elongated greyish lesions that can drastically reduce yield. Apple scab, another fungal disease, was recorded on fruit trees, while angular leaf spot and mosaic of cucumber were observed in cucurbit crops, posing serious challenges to local vegetable growers. The team also detected Phytophthora blight of colocasia, a disease notorious for its rapid spread under humid conditions, leading to massive leaf blight and tuber rot.
Dr. W. Tampakleima Chanu guided students in diagnosing a variety of other crop diseases, including black leaf spot and wilt of marigold, loose smut and brown spot of rice, and major diseases of cole crops such as Alternaria leaf spot, wire stem, and wilt of French bean. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved disease management practices and farmer awareness in the region.
The survey revealed that poor drainage, monocropping, and lack of timely plant protection measures are major contributing factors to the spread of these diseases. Faculty members emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, field sanitation, and use of resistant varieties to minimize yield losses.