Chandigarh, Mar 22 (Reporter) Scientists from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, have identified a new and potentially devastating disease affecting pea crops. Named "Witches' Broom," the disease is associated with the pathogen 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' (16SrI). The American Phytopathological Society (APS), USA, which recognises new diseases in plants, has accepted and published the report of the ailment by the scientists in its prestigious journal ‘Plant Disease’ as the first research report. APS is one of the oldest international scientific organisations for the study of plant diseases that publishes world-class publications specifically on plant diseases. Vice-Chancellor, Dr BR Kamboj said scientists from the Haryana Agricultural University are the first in the world to discover the disease. They have submitted a research report on the phytoplasma pea disease, which has been recognised by an international organisation and published in its journal. He stated that early identification of emerging threats in various crops has become important in the changing agricultural landscape. He said that scientists should start working on disease control as soon as possible. He informed that the new disease was first observed in the pea crop at the Central State Farm, Hisar in February 2023, where 10 percent of the pea plants became stunted and bushy. After hard work, the scientists of HAU have discovered the causal agent of this disease, Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris. He said that early identification of the disease will help in developing a planned breeding programme...////...