Plant pathology Section was established in June 1982 with following objectives,

	Solving problems of diseases on sugarcane
	Conducting surveys for diseases on sugarcane and their incidence, distribution, new addition, identification.
	Estimation of losses caused by diseases on sugarcane yield and quality of sugarcane.
	Screening sugarcane varieties against diseases for their resistance.
	Production of disease free sugarcane seed through heat therapy under three-tier seed nursery programme.
	Adoption of plant protection measures through appropriate disease management approaches.
	Study of pathogens in the laboratory for different pathological aspects.

Major diseases viz. smut, grassy shoot, eye spot, mosaic, rust, wilt, pokkah boeng and pineapple were found in almost all the sugarcane growing areas of the state.  The average loss in yield due to diseases are estimated to 10-15% and incidences were recorded up to 10% in Maharashtra.