I was pleased to go through the Practical Manual "PLANT DOCTOR" authored by Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura. At the outset, I congratulate the author on bringing out this `Rare and timely book' which contains vivid descriptions of the symptoms of major plant diseases and pests as well nutritional deficiencies with numerous outstanding color photographs. These will help in identifying the problems and taking appropriate remedial measures in time so as to protect the crops and increase food production. This book is published by Springson Publications, Mysuru. This book will be a valuable addition to all the universities and research institutions in the country, more so with National Agricultural Research System (NARS) including KVKs, Agriculture, Horticulture and other farm based companies as well as input dealers. This will in turn help improve the health and overall growth of Annadatha. Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura for this 'out-of-the-box' publication .If a Kannada version of this book is brought out, it will serve as a great ready reckoner for the farmers and extension workers of Karnataka. It needs to be a low-cost edition so that farmers can also afford. I once again whole heartedly congratulate Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura on his commendable efforts in authoring `Plant Doctor.'

As if an answer to all the above contexts and concerns, here comes ‘Plant Doctor’, presented by Dr.Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura, an academician, a farmer, an entrepreneur, above all, a fine Foreword human being with a rare combination of arts, science and commerce of farming. His innate urge for this volume is expressed in his words of ‘Why I had to write this book?’, wherein his academic excellence, eye for details, exemplary capacity to synthesise diverse aspects of crop health, as also genuine concerns and practical solutions from ‘seed-to-market’ are visible in every page of this extraordinary book. This irresistible volume is both a valuable asset to everyone in farming as I mentioned earlier and addition to scientific literature, the like we have not seen in the recent past. This takes us out of our silos and enables a synergistic appreciation of the situation for wholesome prophylactic and therapeutic measures as well as mitigation and remediation. In summary, ‘seeing is believing’ and ‘Plant Doctor’ provides enough food for thought as also tools for action for a healthier crop management and nutritional food production system. My heartfelt compliments to Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura, for sharing his life time experiences and brilliant expertise for the benefit of the farmers and students, for a healthy and happy India.

“The Plant Doctor Averts Farmer’s Suicide”, said a Newspaper headline. I read it with interest, as it was at a time when hundreds of farmers in Mandya, Mysuru and adjoining districts in Karnataka, India were committing suicides due to failed crops. The newspaper report said that the ‘Plant Doctor’ was able to convince the farmer (who was growing chrysanthemum flowers for sale) not to end his life, as he would ensure that the farmer would get bumper crop next season. ‘The Plant Doctor’ is none other than Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura, who has earned this title, and he is often called “Rytha Bandhu” (Farmers’ Friend). He is revered by the farming communities around Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagara and Coorg districts because of his knowledge of crop husbandry, more particularly in managing insect pests and diseases and plant nutrient deficiencies. He calls himself as a ‘Generalist’, which is an understatement, as his knowledge of crop management is excellent and highly practical, especially for the small holder and resource-poor farmers who are struggling to make a decent living. The book “The Plant Doctor” is act

Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimakapura has compiled an important and unique practical manual describing the diagnosis and management of plant growth deficiencies, diseases, and insect pests in his book- ‘Plant Doctor’. The content of the book is enriched with magnificent colored photographs of every major biotic and abiotic stresses causing high yield loss in major food crops of our food basket. The academia, industry, and government are coordinating intensively to prevent the crop loss through research extension and policy decisions which are well documented in this book and this book can influence many researcher, grower, and government agencies for guidance, search for innovative ideas, and practices to realize the high yield potential of our annual food production programme. The book deals with soil structure, fertilizers, plant nutrition deficiencies, and crop diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, oomycetes, fungal, seed-borne diseases, crop pests, and their diagnosis management practices succinctly to ease farmers, growers, and practitioners of plant health at a single place. It is invaluable for scientists, students, faculty members, agriculture extension workers, guidance for policy issues to administrators and industry personal. The book ‘Plant Doctor’ with its 305-page contents describes all the aspects know about plant ailments, their diagnosis, and management of problems to keep the crop healthy.

Please accept My heartfelt compliments arid congratulations for the book series on "The Plant Doctor". It is a mile-stone publication in the annals of farmers literature. The book deals with disease diagnosis, management and pertinent pathogen cum necessary account of Crop pests and diseases. It is an important field guide for the agriculture scientists, plant pathologists, extension plant pathologists, researchers, students, and teachers who are involved in the crop disease and pest management. The work depicted in this practical manual entitled "Plant Doctor' is an outcome of your dedication, commitment and concern for Indian agriculture and Indian farmers. The identification of disease is an important task, which you have demonstrated by very good photographs and respective pathogens besides discussing the control measures. All these aspects form essential part in the curriculum of agriculture graduates and postgraduates while dealing with plant pathology and entomology. once again my hearty congratulations as it forms very good reading cum practical encyclopedia for students, teachers, researchers and a good addition to the libraries. Wish you good luck for your future endeavors.