Int. J. Agr. & Agri. R.
International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 1-14, 2012 http://www.innspub.net REVIEW PAPER
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Importance and management of fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum Butler) of pigeonpea Rael Karimi1*, James Otieno Owuoche2, Said Nandy Silim3 1
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), P.O. Box 340, Machakos, Kenya
2
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soil Science, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton,
Kenya 3
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), P.O. Box 39063,
Nairobi, Kenya Received: 19 December 2011 Revised: 05 January 2012 Accepted: 09 January 2012
Key words: Pigeonpea, disease, distribution, management. Abstract Fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum Butler) is an important soil borne disease of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], which causes significant yield losses in susceptible cultivars throughout the pigeonpea growing areas. The soil borne fungus enters the host vascular system at root tips through wounds leading to progressive chlorosis of leaves, branches, wilting and collapse of the root system. Temperature, soil type, water retentive nature of the soil and nutrient availability has been shown to affect fusarium population. Disease management strategies have emphasized on integrated disease management practices. Despite extensive pathological and molecular studies, the nature and extent of pathogenic variability in F. udum has not been clearly established. Information on characterization of F. udum is needed to help identify race differentials. In addition, there is limited knowledge on the inheritance of fusarium wilt and other important traits in pigeonpea thus limiting specific cultivar improvement. This paper reviews the literature on the distribution, symptomalogy, factors that affect its development and control strategies of the disease. *Corresponding
Karimi et al.
Author: Rael Karimi  rlkarimi@yahoo.com
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