Macrophomina phaseolina-host interface: Insights into an emerging dry root rot pathogen of mungbean and urdbean, and its mitigation strategies

The necrotrophic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen of many crops, such as strawberry, maize, sorghum, potato, soybean, chickpea, and pigeon pea, and causes multiple diseases throughout the world. The microsclerotia, which are the source of primary inoculum, play an important role in the survival and spread of M. phaseolina, as well as disease initiation and development. South Asia has unique characteristics relative to countries with temperate climates, that is, warm temperature, high humidity, and reduced rainfall that influence the interaction between M. phaseolina and its hosts. This review discusses the distribution pattern, pathogen background, pathogenic and genetic variability, and the mitigation strategies applied worldwide to reduce the impact of diseases caused by M. phaseolina with a focus on dry root rot of mungbean and urdbean in South Asia. Dry root rot, caused by M. phaseolina, is an emerging disease of mungbean and urdbean in South Asia. Dry root rot research in South Asia has focused mostly on adopting disease mitigation strategies evolved in tropical to temperate climates such as cultural practices, chemical control, genetic resistance, and biological control. Although the disease is prevalent in most of South Asia, there have been very few studies on M. phaseolina and its host-parasite interaction. Therefore, additional research is required in this domain, which could result in improved understanding and management of M. phaseolina in the face of present and future climate extremes.