Macrophomina phaseolina: The Most Destructive Soybean Fungal Pathogen of Global Concern

Abstract

Charcoal rot caused by the fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina, have emerged as serious concern for cultivation of soybean under climate change scenario worldwide. Macrophomina phaseolina causes huge annual losses to the crop and can survives in the soil mainly as microsclerotia for 2 years or longer and; germinate repeatedly during the crop-growing season. The pathogen generally attacks the young plants when their growth is retarded due to unfavourable conditions. Moreover, charcoal rot is usually most severe in older plants which have been subjected to stressful environmental conditions such as high temperature, drought, or poor fertility. The disease severity is directly related to the humidity, temperature, tillage practices and soil nutrient conditions. This review deals with the details of pathogen and its management approaches. The management of disease through stress management is the most viable solution to overcome the menace of it. Although, the fungicide is the means of disease prevention but cultural practices, irrigation management during drought and resistant cultivars are the most practical means of control as the pathogen have more than 500 plant species to inhabit. The possibilities in substantial yield reduction under present changing climate underscore the need for further research.