An updated review of biology, pathogenicity, epidemiology and management of wilt disease of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium udum Butler is the most widespreadand destructive disease of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.). It can cause upto 100% yield losses in the susceptible pigeonpea cultivars. Despite earlier investigations on pathological and physiological characteristics of F. udum, the nature of infection process and genetic basis of pathogen variability have not been clearly established. The frequent recurrence of Fusarium wilt and changing scenario of the pathogen in the major pigeonpea growing areas prioritized the research for developing broad spectrum wilt resistant cultivars. The need to study biology of the pathogen, epidemiology of the disease is essential to understand the changing scenario of wilt disease in the context of climate change. This will facilitate to develop and, or refine host resistance screening techniques, identify disease resistance pigeonpea genotypes and the integrated disease management technology. In this review attempts have been made to update the current state of art and science of the wilt including sign and symptoms of the disease, biology of pathogen, epidemiology of the disease, variability of the pathogen, host resistance, and other management options. Available information on biochemical and genetic basis of disease resistance have been updated and discussed with the identification of future research priorities