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Plant Pathologist

Plant pathologists are “plant doctors”. They find out why crops get diseased — fungi, bacteria, viruses — and how to control it.

Class 11–12 subjectsPhysics, Chemistry, Biology
Entrance / admissionTNAU admission / CUET UG (ICAR)
DegreeB.Sc (Hons) Agriculture + M.Sc Plant Pathology
Duration6 years4 + 2

Your route, step by step

  1. 1Class 11–12: take PCBPlant biology and microbes in Class 11–12 Biology lead straight into crop disease science.
  2. 2B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture · 4 yearsTNAU admits on Class 12 marks; ICAR all-India seats use CUET UG.
  3. 3M.Sc (Agri) Plant Pathology · 2 yearsLab and field research on crop diseases.
  4. 4Research or servicePhD, ICAR scientist, Agricultural Officer through TNPSC, or agri-industry.

What a plant pathologist does

  • Diagnose crop diseases in the field and lab
  • Develop safe disease-control methods
  • Breed or test disease-resistant varieties
  • Advise farmers and extension officers

Entrance exams & admission

Where you may work

Agricultural universities and ICAR institutes, state agriculture departments, seed and agrochemical companies, and plant clinics.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Official links

Links checked: Oct 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.

Outlook

Crop disease control is vital for food security, and agricultural research and industry hire specialists steadily.

Specialise later

  • Mycology (fungi)
  • Plant virology
  • Bacteriology
  • Biological control
  • Seed pathology