Root rot and wilt diseases of food legumes

Abstract

Soilborne fungal diseases of grain legumes are described as seed and seedling blights, root rots, and wilts. Seed and seedling diseases are caused primarily by Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp. The most important fungi causing root rots include Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium solani, Pythium spp., Thielaviopsis basicola, and Macrophomina phasolina. Wilt is caused primarily by various host-specific forms of Fusarium oxysporum. All of these organisms are competitive, facultative saprophytes which can survive indefinitely in soil.