Lucknow: Harshita Gaurav, a research scholar from the Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis titled “Withania somnifera L. Dunal: Major Pests and Diseases and Their Biological Management under In-vitro and Pot Trial Conditions” under the supervision of Prof. Amritesh Chandra Shukla.
In her research, Harshita identified the major pests and diseases affecting Ashwagandha and suggested effective measures for their biological management. Field surveys, particularly in the Raebareli region, revealed that pathogens were causing crop losses of up to 40–50%. External examiner Dr. Vinita Tripathi from CSIR-CDRI appreciated the scholar’s work and encouraged its dissemination among farmers.
The study further concluded that cinnamon oil is highly effective against pathogenic fungi. This organic approach could serve as a safe alternative to chemical pesticides, proving beneficial for both agriculture and human health.
Prof. Amritesh Chandra Shukla highlighted that although Ashwagandha holds immense medicinal value, its market worth often declines due to disease infestations. This research can help farmers produce high-quality crops, thereby enhancing the market value of this medicinal plant.
The findings are expected to benefit farmers significantly, contributing to the cultivation of medicinal plants and playing an important role in rural development.
