Sustainable Approaches for Biological Control of Fusarium Wilt in Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millspaugh)

Abstract

Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) is an important crop of Indian subcontinent and African countries, cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Fusarium wilt is one of the major yield and growth-limiting factors of pigeon pea. Along with nematodes such as Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera cajani, F. udum result in highly destructive wilt disease complex, which is a major constraint for the successful cultivation of pigeon pea. F. udum from the same or different geographical origin have shown that the fungus is highly variable in cultural characteristics and pathogenicity. Although development and use of resistant cultivars is effective, economical, and environmentally sound strategy for disease control, still variable responses with cultivation conditions had been a matter of concern. For an eco-friendly and sustainable management of fusarium wilt, biological control with the application of PGPR offers a potential nonchemical means for disease management. Several strains of Pseudomonas and Bacillus have been widely reported as effective biocontrol agents for pigeon pea wilt, though combination of several organisms have been proved more effective in field conditions.