Researchers at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) in Hisar have identified Fusarium proliferatum as the pathogen responsible for wilt disease in strawberry crops. This represents the first confirmed report of this pathogen affecting strawberries in India. The research has garnered international attention, having been accepted for publication in the Elsevier journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, a respected publication in plant disease research. Under the leadership of HAU vice-chancellor Professor BR Kamboj, scientists are developing disease management strategies, with laboratory tests of fungicides and bio-agents already completed. Field trials for the most effective treatments are set to begin in the upcoming crop season. Professor Kamboj highlighted the critical nature of timely disease identification in the face of evolving agricultural conditions, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring and swift control measures. Dr. Rajbir Garg, HAU's director of research, noted that this study is the first to document the disease in India, enhancing the university's global scientific reputation. The research team is now focused on understanding the disease's patterns and creating targeted solutions to reduce crop losses and promote sustainable strawberry cultivation.