International Webinar on “Genetic Management of Asian Soybean Rust” organized

18^th June, 2021, Indore

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh organized an International Webinar on “Genetic management of Asian soybean rust: Current Status and Future Perspectives” today.

The Chief Guest, Dr. R.R. Hanchinal, Former Chairperson, PPVP&FR stressed on the need for more collaborative efforts to insulate Soybean from major diseases.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. S.K. Rao, Vice-Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior stated that there being no alternative to Soybean crop for the farmers in Central India, the multiple disease-resistant Soybean varieties are the need of the hour.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru stressed on the idea for incorporation of biological control of diseases using the microbial agents.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. P.G. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MPKV, Rahuri, Maharashtra regarded the rust as a threat to Soybean production in Southern Maharashtra.

The Special Guest, Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, ADG (Oilseeds and Pulses), ICAR emphasized on the importance of such Webinars for sharing knowledge and developing international collaboration.

Dr. Naoki Yamanaka, Senior Researcher, Japan International Research Centre for Agriculture Sciences (JIRCAS), Japan delivered a talk on “Studies on Asian Soybean Rust in JIRCAS”. Dr. Yamanaka outlined the import of >90% of Soybean requirement by Japan. He regarded the genetic management of Soybean Rust as a most economical and ecological safe way.

Dr. Nita Khandekar, Director, ICAR-IISR, Indore said that for improving the Soybean rust-resistance in Indian Soybean varieties, the scientists in India will make efforts to use the resistant genetic material developed by the JIRCAS through collaborative project.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh)