Biology, Epidemiology, and Management of Charcoal Rot of Soybean Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina is a significant pathogen of Soybean crop. Disease development in any crop requires a susceptible host, a virulent infection, and a suitable environment. M. phaseolina is a diverse species and infects over 500 different plant species by causing stem rot, root rot, seedling blight, and charcoal rot. Disease control is difficult due to M. phaseolina's broad host range and high existence in soil as microsclerotia. As a saprophyte, it can live in the soil for up to 15 years. M. phseolina is a soil-borne pathogen that affects crop quality and quantity. This pathogen is more dangerous in areas where the climate is relatively dry and warm during the growing season; that is why it is also known as drought stress pathogen. During the rainy season, M. phaseolina mycellium or sclerotia infest the soil in field plots in India. Soil with low C: N ratio, high bulk density, and high moisture content are the important factors for the survival of sclerotia. Cultural practices, seed treatment, soil amendments, and host resistance can aid in the management of this disease. Significant yield losses have resulted from this pathogen. Understanding the pathogen’s pathogenicity mechanisms and interactions with host crop is therefore critical for managing the disease.