The Department of Plant Pathology has strong research, teaching and extension outreach programs that cover basic and applied aspects of plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions and plant health management. We are ready to provide the knowledge to ensure plant health wherever it is threatened. Our department is the home for graduate education- not only in plant pathology, but also in a wide field ranging from sustainable agriculture to toxicology to genetics and molecular biology-related majors. The major objectives concern the scientific training of professional phytopathologists. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental and practical concepts associated with plant health and disease, physiology of parasitism, host-parasite relationships, genetics of host resistance, genetics of pathogen variation and variability, genetics of host-pathogen-hyperparasite populations, epidemiology of plant diseases, nematology, virology, phytotherapeutics and clinical phytopathology.

Vision
The Department of Plant Pathology will be recognized for excellence in research on plant diseases as well as education and outreach relevant to the needs of students and stakeholders.

Mission
The mission of the Department of Plant Pathology is to conduct research, education and extension which focus on plant disease management as well as the biology of plant microbe interaction.