Development of plant protection technologies for tuber crops is the mandate of this division. Research on various diseases and pests affecting tuber crops is the major activity. The areas affected by different pests and diseases are visited by the experts of the division and the methods to solve the problems are recommended and demonstrated for the benefit of the farmers. Biotechnological approaches for managing important viral diseases like cassava mosaic disease is one of the major research works going on here. The division had developed biopesticides from cassava leaves and it is being sold to farmers at a very nominal rate.

• Basic and molecular techniques for the identification and characterization of pests and diseases
• Tools/ Protocols for early diagnosis of diseases of tuber crops
• Integrated and organic management strategies for pest and diseases
• Technologies for production of bioformulations from crop residues
• Protocol for production of virus free plants of tropical tuber crops
• Identified sources of resistance for pests and diseases of tropical tuber crops
• Biotechnological interventions in pest and disease management
• DNA barcoding of insect pests
• Identified antimicrobial molecules from endosymbiotic bacteria associated with nematodes
• Multipronged rhizospheric and endophytic bioagents for pathogen suppression and growth promotion

• Bioformulations - Nanma, Menma, Shreya
• Biocapsules - Trichoderma asperellum, Bacillus sp (Rhizospheric & Endophytic)
• Sree Pragathi - Trichoderma powder formulation
• Dasheen mosaic virus ELISA kit