Research Projects

soil-borne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes in potatoes, such as Phytophthora infestans, Rhizoctonia solani, Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida, Meloidogyne incognita, and Pratylenchus sp., significantly reduce crop development and productivity, costing $14 billion annually and causing 100% yield losses. Nematodes act as a predisposing factor for the entry of these pathogens, resulting in dangerous disease complexes. In the southern hills of Nilgiris, 75% of potatoes are grown in the summer, leading to late blight disease, reducing yield. This biotic stress increases the cost, exposure concerns, and fungicide residues, preventing long-term use. The consumption of fungicides in potato plants has increased in the last decade due to new, more virulent pathogen genotypes. To mitigate these issues, research is needed to identify acid-tolerant Chaetoglobosins A and C that produce Chaetomium globsum in the potato ecosystem. These compounds have potent cytotoxicity against Phytophthora sp. and antifungal activity against R.solani, inducing black scurf. The identified strain will be developed as a novel bioformulation, and toxicological, phytotoxicological, and field trials will be conducted.