Symposium discussed genomics solutions towards curbing menace, as compared to traditional practice of using pesticides

Ludhiana, December 4, 2017: A two day Indo-US Symposium on curbing whitefly-plant virus pandemics kick started here at Pal Auditorium today. The symposium aims to discuss genomics solutions towards curbing the menace, as compared to the traditional practice of using pesticides. The workshop is being conducted under the aegis of Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, INSOPP and INSAIS. While delivering the inaugural address, PAU Vice Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, who was the Chief Guest of the day lauded the efforts of the organizers and stressed that such workshops are the need of the hour. He added that scientists across the globe are hopeful of developing effective research based solutions towards whitefly management. Dr Dhillon stressed on the need for studying the resistance behavior of the pest in order to develop mechanisms for its effective control.

Guest of Honour, Dr Judith K. Brown from School of Plant Science, Arizona, USA gave a global historical perspective on the whitefly, its origin, species and life cycle, and highlighted research activities being undertaken for the same, around the world.

Earlier, Director Research, PAU, Dr N.S. Bains accorded a cordial welcome to the 150 delegates from Egypt, Iran, Sudan, USA and India. The programme concluded with Vote of Thanks delivered by Director, KVK, Faridkot, Dr Pankaj Rathore.

Dr Satnam Singh and Dr Abhishek Vij, Co- Coordinators of the symposium gave a brief overview of the technical sessions that will have eight scientists each from India and USA who will deliver talks on various aspects of whitefly and its transmitted viruses.