Pigeonpea Wilt  (Fusarium udum cajani)

Identification

The diseased plant in the form of wilted leaves and young branches can be observed within 4-6  weeks after sowing. The wilting and drying of symptoms appear as if plants were suffering from drought. In adult plants, yellowing of leaves leads to dropping and death of the plant. When the affected stem is cut open browning of the xylem vessels are indicative of  blockage. The disease first appear in patches,  which further extends to the entire field if the crop is repeated year after year in the same field.  

Management

• Collection and burning of plant residues after harvesting.

• Rotate crop  at 3-4 years and follow mixed cropping with sorghum which will help in curtailing the buildup of inoculums.

• Field solarization in summer months. 

• Use resistant varieties. 

• Seed treatment with 4g Trichoderma viridae formulation + 2 g of vitavax/kg of seed.

• Soil application of 5kg of Trichoderma formulation/ha mixed with FYM can also be used to combat the disease.

• Zinc is reported to retard the colonization of wilt pathogen.