Diseases of Pigeon Pea

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.) of family Fabaceae is a protein-rich pulse crop, cultivated for its nutritive value. It is an important pulse crop grown predominantly in the Indian subcontinent, Southern and Eastern Africa, and Central America for dietary protein requirements. Diseases that are major biological constraints to pigeon pea production include those caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasma, and nematodes. The chapter contains detailed description of important diseases caused by these pathogens and insect vectors. Their geographic occurrence, symptomatology, epidemiology, characteristics of pathogens, and possible disease management strategies by cultural practices, chemical controls, biological management and development of genetic resistance and/or available resistant varieties are also described in detail.