Diseases of Mungbean

Mungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is an economically important, fast-growing, warm-season legume crop mostly cultivated in South Asia, which is also becoming more popular in Australia and the USA. Mungbean production is threatened by several diseases worldwide. Major fungal diseases limiting mungbean production include anthracnose, Cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt, and charcoal rot while the most damaging bacterial diseases are halo blight and tan spot. Mungbean yellow mosaic virus also causes significant losses in several countries in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica, are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America and can cause yield losses of up to 90%. Key diseases impacting mungbean production, their symptomology and management options are discussed.