Agricultural Research Grant Awardee 2023

Losses in apple crops is an upsetting reality that continues to affect farmers worldwide. The significant agricultural setback due to viral diseases not only impacts the livelihood of farmers but also disrupts the supply chain leading to rising food prices for consumers. The viral management strategies are not successful, hence, their early diagnosis becomes important to minimize crop losses. The available diagnosis tools does not offer any advantage of a sensitive, affordable, and in field detection. Our study aims to develop highly sensitive and cost effective biosensor-based plant virus diagnostics that allows in field detection with results obtained on an android-based mobile app.

The device will offer several benefits to farmers, tissue culture industries and nurseries. The major challenge faced by apple farmers is loss of crop productivity over the years. They face challenges like limited access to resources because of remote locations, and lack of awareness regarding viral disease management. A practical solution will be addressed through this project for better disease identification and its management strategy that would help small farmers to contribute to food security.

Overall, the biosensors-based diagnostics will help farmers for self-farm analysis and effective disease management at an early stage. This will also contribute to the Govt. of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat clean planting program.