Deadly fungus threatens endangered Western Ghats tree
The findings by Shambhu Kumar (Principal Scientist and Head, Forest Pathology Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi), along with Raghvendra Singh (Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, has been published in June 17th edition of Mycosphere journal. This marks the first recorded instance of the pathogen affecting D. bourdillonii, raising serious conservation concerns. The was identified based on morpho-cultural characteristics and molecular phylogenetic evidence.
Detection of the emerging leaf spot and blight disease affecting Dipterocarpus bourdillonii highlight the urgent need for disease surveillance and integrated conservation strategies to protect one of Western Ghat's most vulnerable rainforest trees.
'Dipterocarpus bourdillonii (family: Dipterocarpaceae) is a critically endangered tree species listed on the IUCN Red List. Endemic to the Western Ghats of India, it plays a vital ecological role in maintaining rainforest canopy structure and supporting biodiversity. Economically, its hardwood is valued for construction and furniture, while its oleoresin (wood oil) has traditional medicinal and industrial uses. Due to overexploitation and habitat loss, the species already faces severe threats. The emergence of this additional biotic threat further underscores the urgent need for conservation measures to protect and restore its dwindling population,' Mr. Kumar said.
The investigation of Corynespora cassiicola infecting Dipterocarpus bourdillonii in Kerala using morpho-molecular tools is of significant importance. Molecular identification ensures accurate pathogen detection, overcoming the limitations of morphology-based methods, and facilitates early diagnosis and monitoring.
This study is crucial for understanding the disease's epidemiology, guiding effective disease management strategies, and safeguarding this threatened species. Additionally, it contributes to forest health surveillance and supports both ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, Mr. Kumar pointed out.
Corynespora cassiicola is a widespread phytopathogen causing leaf spots, target spots, and blight diseases in a wide range of plant species, including economically important crops such as rubber, soybean, tomato, cucumber, cotton, as well as medicinal and ornamental plants. It thrives in warm, humid climates and spreads through conidia (spores produced by fungi) via wind, water, and human activity. The pathogen impairs photosynthesis, leading to defoliation, reduced yield, and plant death in severe cases.
Management of the pathogen involves the use of resistant cultivars, cultural practices (e.g., proper spacing and removal of infected parts), and fungicides such as mancozeb and azoxystrobin. Early detection and integrated disease management are vital to minimising its impact and preventing outbreaks, noted Mr. Kumar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
I am a neurologist, these are my ‘top 10 lifestyle and dietary tips to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote healthy longevity'
Living longer isn't just about adding years to your life; it's about adding life to those years. According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, adopting key lifestyle habits can significantly reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and dementia, while also boosting energy, focus, and well-being as you age. In a recent post on X, Dr Kumar shared his 'Top 10 Lifestyle Habits & Dietary Preferences that Reduce the Risk of Chronic Diseases and Promote Healthy Longevity.' These include eating a whole-food diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean meat; exercising regularly (at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week plus muscle strengthening); and sleeping 7-9 hours a night. He also recommends avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and waist circumference, managing stress through mindfulness or time in nature, and cutting back on excess salt and added sugar. Dr Kumar highlights the importance of regular health screenings for early detection of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. He also stresses the value of strong social ties, as powerful as quitting smoking in reducing mortality risk, and encourages daily sunlight exposure and adequate vitamin D. A bonus tip: Keep your brain active with reading, puzzles or learning new skills to lower dementia risk. Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, tells 'While all ten habits are valuable for overall health, maintaining meaningful social connections stands out as one of the most powerful factors in delaying cognitive decline. From a psychological perspective, regular social engagement keeps the brain active, encourages emotional expression, and provides a buffer against chronic stress.' Top 10 Lifestyle Habits & Dietary Preferences that Reduce the Risk of Chronic Diseases and Promote Healthy Longevity 1. Healthy Diet ▶️ Include: vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean meat. ▶️ Minimize: ultra-processed foods, red/processed meats, sugary… — Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) July 1, 2025 When individuals engage in conversation, solve problems together, or even share emotional experiences, multiple areas of the brain are activated. 'This kind of mental stimulation is essential for preserving memory, attention, and executive function over time. Social connection also reduces the risk of depression and anxiety, both of which are linked to faster cognitive deterioration,' notes Cadabam. For urban professionals, Cadabam notes, the key is to integrate these habits into existing routines rather than viewing them as additional tasks. Physical activity, for example, does not always require gym time. Walking during calls, taking the stairs, or engaging in short guided home workouts can be just as effective when done consistently. Meal planning becomes more manageable with small steps, such as prepping ingredients in advance, using simple recipes, or batch-cooking for a few days. Cadabam states, 'As for sleep, creating a regular wind-down routine is essential. Setting a consistent bedtime and limiting screen time before bed can help signal to the brain that it's time to wind down. Importantly, adults must permit themselves to rest. In high-performance urban cultures, rest is often undervalued, but protecting sleep time is an investment in long-term mental clarity.' Dr Kumar mentions that loneliness is linked to mortality risk, similar to smoking or obesity. According to Cadabam, loneliness is not just an emotional experience; it activates physiological stress responses in the body, which trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Over time, elevated stress hormones can contribute to inflammation, weakened immune function, poor heart health, and disrupted sleep patterns. In addition, individuals who feel isolated are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours such as regular exercise, balanced eating, or routine medical check-ups. Meaningful relationships offer emotional support, help regulate stress, and give a sense of belonging and purpose — all of which are essential for a long and healthy life. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Business Standard
Tufts University's India Visit Forges New Academic Alliances
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 11: In a significant step towards strengthening Indo-US academic ties, Tufts University, a globally recognized U.S. educational institution, has announced a landmark partnership with Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The announcement was made on June 23 during a visit by the Tufts leadership team to India. Both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance global scientific collaboration through this strategic partnership. The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Sunil Kumar, the 14th President of Tufts University and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). President Kumar was joined by Professor Christina Economos, Dean of the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Under her leadership, the two institutions have created the Interdisciplinary Centre for Nutrition Science and Medicine (ICNSM). This Centre will be housed at IISc and provide nutrition education and research opportunities to medical students and faculty at both institutions. These efforts will address a wide range of diet-related concerns in India, the U.S., and around the world - including but not limited to anaemia, malnutrition, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, among others. "It is widely recognized that food choices and nutrition play a critical role in preventing, managing, and treating diseases, and continuous research and discovery optimizes care," added Dean Economos. The newly signed MoU and the establishment of ICNSM stand as a testament to the shared commitment of Tufts and IISc to advancing knowledge, addressing global challenges collaboratively, and driving constructive societal transformation. ''Our work on nutrition is the first of what we envision as a range of possible initiatives that our two institutions hope to pursue together,'' said President Kumar. The Tufts delegation also included Dr. Bernard Arulanandam, Professor at the School of Medicine, Vice Provost for Research, Dr. Kyongbum Lee, Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Erin Hennessy, Professor at the Friedman School, and Dr. Matt Panzer, Professor at the School of Engineering. Drs. Kumar and Economos engaged in extensive discussions with academic and business leaders in India, sharing valuable insights, bringing diverse perspectives to help shape the future of the global education landscape, and exploring impactful partnerships. The team also engaged with Tufts alumni and parents, strengthening personal connections.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Psychiatrist explains stalking has serious psychological effects on women: Here's everything you should know
Stalking can have severe and long-lasting psychological effects on women, impacting their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. According to a 2013 study published in the journal Social Science Quarterly, women aged 23-29 are particularly vulnerable to the psychological effects of stalking, with research suggesting they are almost three times more likely to develop anxiety issues and mental distress. Also read | Mental health study confirms what many already suspected: Indian women are more stressed than men Experts say is time to stop dismissing stalking as 'harmless' and acknowledge the danger, trauma, and real risk it poses to women's lives. (Freepik) How does stalking affect women? Therefore, it's essential to recognise the signs of stalking and provide support to victims to mitigate these devastating effects. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Abhinit Kumar, MD, psychiatry, Sharda Hospital said, 'Stalking causes deep and multi-layered psychological damage to women, typically leaving deep scars. The victims tend to develop a heightened sense of anxiety and constant fear of being watched, vulnerable to attack or being pursued while being threatened by the stalker.' He added that 'hypervigilance tends to cause insomnia, nightmares, loss of appetite, and panic attacks'. 'Among the most important consequences is the creation of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): women experience flashbacks, emotional numbing, avoidance, and intrusive recollections. Depression as well as guilt, shame, and self-blame are also prevalent, particularly when victims question their reaction or fear others will think that they are overreacting,' Dr Kumar said. He said that in extreme situations, stalking results in suicidal thoughts or attempts, and enhanced substance use may become a maladaptive coping strategy. However, the effects are beyond psychological health. Dr Kumar said, 'Victims will change their lives — moving residences, leaving jobs or school, and avoiding social contact — to remain safe. Physically, symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, palpitations of the heart, and persistent fatigue are common due to prolonged stress. Socially, victims can be isolated, become distrustful, and withdraw from friends and family members.' According to Dr Kumar, stalking 'is thus a prolonged mode of psychological trauma' — tearing down victims' sense of safety, health, and identity: 'Healing demands trauma-informed mental health care, legal protections, and community validation to assist women in beginning to rebuild their lives.' Among the most important consequences is the creation of PTSD: women experience flashbacks, emotional numbing, avoidance, and intrusive recollections. Depression as well as guilt, shame, and self-blame are also prevalent. (Freepik) Even women in leadership are not exempt Asma Kahali, managing director, Rimbaa Oak Global Pte Ltd, Singapore added that stalking persists cloaked in digital anonymity, emboldened by legal ambiguity, and perpetuated by a culture that too often trivialises the terror it induces. She said, 'To the unacquainted, stalking may appear merely as unwanted attention; but for the women who endure it, it is an insidious psychological siege — a sustained erosion of autonomy, safety, and sanity. The effect is not merely episodic fear, but a chronic state of hyper-vigilance that corrodes mental equilibrium. The mind begins to rehearse worst-case scenarios, sleep becomes fragmented, and self-worth dissolves under the weight of constant surveillance.' She added that stalking does not require physical proximity to be pernicious: 'Today's cyberstalkers wield social media as both weapon and window, constructing a panopticon where the victim becomes simultaneously visible and vulnerable. Women in leadership — like myself — are not exempt; in fact, the visibility of professional success often invites scrutiny laced with threat, camouflaged as curiosity.' According to Asma, what is perhaps most psychologically devastating is the erosion of trust — trust in public spaces, in legal institutions, even in one's own perception of safety. 'The woman is compelled to recalibrate her life, her routines, even her aspirations, in an exhausting attempt to pre-empt further violation,' she said. 'The imperative now is twofold: sensitise society to the real trauma stalking incurs, and equip our institutions — judicial, technological, and educational — to respond with the gravity it deserves. Protection must be proactive, not posthumous. We must evolve from a society that teaches women to endure to one that ensures they are never made to,' Asma added. Many cases of rape, acid attacks, and even murder have been preceded by persistent stalking. Recognising and intervening at this stage is essential to preventing these escalations. (Freepik) How does the law see stalking Rhythm Aggarwal, a criminal defense lawyer, agreed that 'stalking is not a harmless infatuation or fleeting obsession'. According to her, 'it is a form of gendered violence rooted in patriarchal beliefs that disregard a woman's autonomy, choices, and right to exist without fear'. 'The persistence of stalking is often driven by a toxic sense of entitlement, where a man refuses to accept a woman's disinterest, perceiving her refusal as a challenge rather than a boundary,' she said. She added that what exacerbates the harm is the cultural normalisation of stalking as a romantic gesture: 'Popular media frequently glorifies the relentless pursuer as passionate or heroic, while completely ignoring the fear, anxiety, and psychological trauma inflicted on women. This portrayal dangerously distorts public perception, causing real-life victims to be dismissed or not taken seriously when they seek help.' The psychological impact of stalking is profound. 'Women often live in a state of hypervigilance, with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Many alter their daily routines, avoid public places, and restrict social interactions — all in an effort to feel safe. This kind of trauma is enduring and must be addressed with urgency and empathy,' she added. 'Crucially, stalking is often a precursor to more heinous crimes. Many cases of rape, acid attacks, and even murder have been preceded by persistent stalking. Recognising and intervening at this stage is essential to preventing these escalations,' Rhythm said. Legally, stalking is a punishable offence under Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises repeated unwanted contact or surveillance, she added: 'A first conviction can lead to imprisonment for up to three years; subsequent offences carry harsher penalties. This legal provision affirms that stalking is not merely inappropriate behaviour — it is a serious violation of a woman's rights and freedom. It is time to stop dismissing stalking as 'harmless' and acknowledge the danger, trauma, and real risk it poses to women's lives.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
