Major Fungal Diseases of Pulse Crops and their Management to Mitigate its Losses

Pulses play a crucial role in the diets of vegetarians worldwide. India, in particular, stands as the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally. These protein-rich staples contain approximately 25% protein, which is nearly three times the protein content found in cereals. As a result, pulses serve as an essential supplement to cereal-based diets. However, the growth of pulse crops faces numerous challenges, both from biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, diseases such as wilt, Phytophthora stem blight (PSB), dry root rot, collar rot, Ascochyta blight, powdery mildew, and rust significantly limit yields. These diseases cause substantial economic losses each year and hinder exports due to poor-quality produce. To combat these diseases, chemical pesticides are commonly used worldwide. However, it is widely recognized that the use of agricultural chemicals not only leads to environmental pollution but also poses serious health risks to humans, plants, domestic animals, and wildlife. Consequently, these practices are considered ecologically unacceptable. Therefore, it is imperative to acquire updated knowledge to assess the severity of these problems and develop or refine integrated management strategies. These strategies should incorporate cultural, physical, biological, safer chemical, and molecular approaches to protect crops in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. By adopting these approaches, significant reductions in losses caused by diseases can be achieved, particularly in subsistence farming conditions, while simultaneously enhancing crop yields.