The Plant Pathology Research Institute (PPRI), Faisalabad, established in 2009, plays a pivotal role in tackling plant health challenges, safeguarding food security, and advancing agricultural sustainability across the province. The Institute is comprised of following Sections & Divisions.
- Plant Pathology Section, Faisalabad
- Plant Virology Section, Faisalabad
- Pest Control Training & Pest Management Division, Faisalabad
1.1 Plant Pathology Section, Faisalabad
The Section was founded in 1946 as part of the Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute. Moved in 1962, when the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad was established. The Section underwent another relocation in 2009, marking the formation of the Plant Pathology Research Institute (PPRI) in Faisalabad. The mission of the Section, is to boost the nation's economy by increasing agricultural output via reducing yield losses due to plant diseases. Its primary focus is on advancing cutting-edge research into plant diseases, exploring their causes, effects, and potential threats to agriculture. Simultaneously, it emphasizes the development of innovative and practical sustainable solutions that not only mitigate the diseases but also promote long-term environmental health, resilient crop production, and ecological balance.
Existing laboratories: To achieve the stated tasks, research is systematically organized into five specialized fields/laboratories, each dedicated to a distinct area of expertise.
- Plant Mycology Laboratory I: The laboratory is dedicated to researching higher fungal pathogens to mitigate their impact on crops & development of management tactics against higher fungal pathogens.
- Plant Mycology Laboratory II: The laboratory is devoted to researching lower fungal pathogens to lessen their influence on crops & development of control strategies against lower fungal pathogens.
- Seed Pathology Laboratory: The laboratory is committed to researching seed-borne pathogens to lessen their effect on growth of crop plants & development of control strategies against seed borne pathogens via seed treatments.
- Phyto Bacteriology Laboratory: The laboratory is committed to studying plant bacterial pathogens in order to minimize their influence on crops along with advancement in control strategies against bacterial pathogens.
- Plant Nematology Laboratory: The laboratory is devoted to advancing research on plant-parasitic nematodes to alleviate their impact on crops along with advancement in control strategies against plant parasitic nematodes.
1.2 Plant Virology Section, Faisalabad
The Plant Virology Section was established in 1973, and in 1984, the Punjab Government introduced a small tissue culture unit. Since its inception, the section has been actively engaged in producing high-quality seed potatoes using tissue culture techniques that ensure virus-free seed stocks. Additionally, it conducts research on viral diseases affecting various crops and develops effective management strategies.
Existing laboratories: The following laboratories are currently in operation to fulfill the mission.
- Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory: The laboratory is dedicated to producing virus-free potato plantlets through meristem culture, virus-free micro tubers, virus-free mini tubers, and virus-free basic seed potato of newly developed potato varieties.
- Serology Laboratory (ELISA based virus identification): The laboratory plays a crucial role in identifying potato viruses, ensuring disease-free seed potato production, also plays a significant role in identifying viruses that affect crops other than potato
1.3 Pest Control Training & Pest Management Division, Faisalabad
The Pest Control Training & Pest Management Division was established in 1971 and relocated in 2009 following the bifurcation and formation of the Plant Pathology Research Institute (PPRI), Faisalabad. The mission is to strengthen the linkage between farmers & research organizations by capacity building of employees of agri. department & other stake holders engaged in agriculture sector of the province, plays a vital role in enhancing agricultural production by transferring Plant Protection technologies to agricultural extension personnel. This division is actively engaged in developing Integrated Management technologies to control insect pests and diseases affecting field, forage, and horticultural crops, as well as standardizing herbicides and fungicides to effectively combat weeds and plant diseases.
Existing laboratories: The following laboratories are currently in operation to fulfill the assigned tasks.
- Plant Disease Diagnostics & Bioassay Laboratory: Standardizing fungicides to fight common crop infections and diagnosing plant diseases are the main objectives of the lab.
- Insect Pests Identification & Bioassay Laboratory: The aims of the lab. are to identify insect pests and create long-term remedies to stop pest infestations in crops.
Objectives
Plant Pathology Section, PPRI, Faisalabad
- Identification of diseases of plants & their causative agents distressing crop plants, i.e., air borne, seed borne & soil borne fungi, bacteria, nematodes.
- Gaining insights into the biology of the plant pathogens & their interaction with the plants.
- Devising sustainable management strategies against plant pathogens/diseases of field and horticultural crops.
Plant Virology Section, PPRI, Faisalabad
- Production of virus-free high quality seed potato using tissue culture.
- Detection of prevalence of potato viruses by means of ELISA.
- Monitoring & management of insect vector in potato crop in relation to potato viruses.
- Identification of plant viruses and developing management strategies to reduce agricultural losses due to viral diseases.
Pest Control Training & Pest Management Division, PPRI, Faisalabad
- Imparting of plant protection technologies to personnel engaged in agriculture sector of the Punjab.
- Development of cost-effective and eco-friendly strategies to manage insect pests, weeds, and diseases at tolerable levels.
- Standardization of fungicides and herbicides for control of diseases and weeds of different crops.