Haryana: HAU scientists identify new pathogen causing strawberry wilt disease in India

Scientists at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) have identified *Fusarium proliferatum* as the pathogen responsible for strawberry wilt disease in India, a first confirmed report of its kind. The discovery highlights a new threat to strawberry cultivation, prompting urgent research into disease management. HAU researchers have already begun evaluating fungicides and bio-agents in laboratory conditions, with plans to conduct field trials during the next growing season. Vice-Chancellor B. R. Kamboj emphasized the importance of early detection and rapid implementation of control measures to mitigate agricultural losses. The findings have been accepted for publication in *Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology*, a leading journal published by Elsevier. This will formalize HAU’s role as the first institution in India to document *Fusarium proliferatum* as a cause of strawberry wilt disease. Lead researcher Dr. Aadesh Kumar and a team of scientists, including Dr. Rajbir Garg and PhD scholar Shubham Saini, are now working to understand the disease’s spread and develop targeted solutions. The research team also includes Anil Kumar Saini, Roomi Rawal, Rakesh Kumar, and others from HAU. Strawberry wilt disease poses a significant challenge to production, and the university’s efforts aim to strengthen surveillance and protective measures for farmers. The initiative reflects HAU’s broader focus on monitoring emerging agricultural threats and ensuring sustainable crop health.