Phenotyping methods of fungal diseases, parasitic nematodes, and weeds in cool-season food legumes

Abstract

The productivity and production of crop plants are low in many parts of the world due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. The major biotic stresses are caused by foliar- and soil-borne diseases, parasitic weeds, and parasitic nematodes. Distribution and importance of diseases, parasitic weeds, and nematodes of cool-season food legumes are global and eco-regional in nature. For developing resistant germplasm, it requires systematic screening using field- and greenhouse-based techniques against the target biotic stresses. These phenotyping techniques have led to the identification of many varieties and germplasm currently in use by farmers and researchers. This chapter provides information on those techniques that are being employed to phenotype several diseases, parasitic nematodes, and weeds in cool-season food legumes.