Mitigating against Sclerotinia Diseases in Legume Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Legumes are essential foods for man and animal. They contribute to food security globally. However, they are negatively affected by Sclerotinia diseases caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which infects over 600 plant species. There is a limited number of review studies on the management of the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum disease in legume crops. Here, we explore earlier studies on the occurrences, yield losses, and other negative effects caused by Sclerotinia spp. in legumes. Additionally, we studied the various strategies used in controlling Sclerotinia sclerotiorum diseases in legume crops. We conclude that the impact of Sclerotinia diseases on legume crops causes an economic loss, as it reduces their quality and yield. Among the management strategies explored, genetic control is challenging due to the limited resistance among germplasm, while biological agents show promising results. Fungicide application is effective during outbreaks of Sclerotinia diseases. Lastly, this review has uncovered gaps in the current knowledge regarding the alleviation of Sclerotinia diseases in legume crops.

Seed treatment with essential oils to control Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc

“…Sclerotia wilt is a disease that causes significant damage to cowpea crops. Its severity is such that, in addition to killing the affected plants, it produces resistance structures, the sclerotia (Figure 3), which can remain viable in the soil for several months (Marcuzzo, 2014), decreasing the plant population and reducing production of grains, with the consequent economic loss to the rural producer (Antwi-Boasiako et al, 2022). This results in a great effort to identify a natural and efficient way to control it.…”

Surveillance of Landraces’ Seed Health in South Italy and New Evidence on Crop Diseases

“…Additionally, in this case, the use of pathogen-free seed is the first step for a successful cultivation. S. sclerotiorum is characterized by a wide host range, including several legumes in which it causes white mold, crown rot, and stem rot [ 35 , 63 , 64 ]. Moreover, S. sclerotiorum is known to produce severe economic and yield losses in the legume production systems [ 65 , 66 ], having a negative impact on seed quality [ 63 ].…”

“…S. sclerotiorum is characterized by a wide host range, including several legumes in which it causes white mold, crown rot, and stem rot [ 35 , 63 , 64 ]. Moreover, S. sclerotiorum is known to produce severe economic and yield losses in the legume production systems [ 65 , 66 ], having a negative impact on seed quality [ 63 ]. In 2018, broad bean infection caused by S. sclerotiorum was reported in North Dakota with symptoms similar to those caused by the isolate CREA OF 1113.1 in laboratory tests, namely stem and root rot [ 67 ].…”

“…The CREA OF 1113.1 isolate was also involved in a phylogenetic analysis which confirmed the identity of the pathogen, since it grouped with strains previously isolated from different crops and geographical areas. The wide dissemination of this pathogen and the disease severity it causes suggest an urgent need for novel screenings that can identify and quickly counteract the infections [ 63 ]. In addition to S. sclerotiorum , in our study, strains of S. vesicarium were isolated from seeds of the broad bean and they showed the ability to produce the typical symptoms associated with Stemphylium disease.…”

Predation and Control Effect of Eupeodes corollae Fabricius (Diptera: Syrphidae) on Leguminous Plant Aphids

“…Legumes comprise almost 20,000 species in 800 genera [1], of which soybeans, peanuts, broad beans, peas, mung beans, cowpeas, and lentils are the main legume crops in agriculture and play a central role in maintaining ecological sustainability and crop diversity [2][3][4]. Legumes are essential food for humans and animals, and their role in the global food supply cannot be underestimated [5]. Specifically, legumes, such as cowpeas, soybeans, and jack beans, are considered equivalent to meat by the poor and are an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for them [6][7][8].…”