Management of Anthracnose Disease of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an ideal crop for small holding farmers due to its low input requirement, nitrogen fixation capability and short duration. Its seed are a good source of dietary protein & vitamins for humans especially for marginal and vegetarian people. The production of mungbean is hampered by several biotic and abiotic stresses. Anthracnose disease in mungbean is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and severity of disease depends on the weather conditions. In India, losses due to anthracnose are estimated to range from 20 to 100% and it is proportional to the disease severity, and it differs depending on the host genotypes and environmental conditions. In standing crop, use of chemicals as a curative measure is more effective comparatively ecofriendly approaches. However, management of anthracnose disease through host resistance is an efficient, ecofriendly and reliable measure. All efforts to address the above issues like cultural characteristics of pathogen as well as its management through suitable host resistance and chemical molecules have been explained in this book.