Anthracnose Management in Green Gram/Mung Bean: Symptoms, Identification, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control

Anthracnose disease is caused by a fungus that grows on the green gram, also called mung bean. Several fungi in the genus Colletotrichum are to blame for this disease. Small, deep spots appear on the leaves, stems, and pods when green gram has anthracnose. These spots later turn dark brown or black. As the disease is severe, the parts of the infected plant may dry out and die.

Anthracnose is especially bad for green gram crops, which can lose up to 50% of their yield. The disease is most common in warm, humid places, and it grows best when the dirt and plant surfaces are very wet. The fungus that causes anthracnose can live in dead plants and the soil, which makes it hard to get rid.

Using cultural and chemical means to keep green grams from getting anthracnose would be best. Culture methods include planting types resistant to disease, rotating crops, not watering from above, and removing infected plant debris. Fungicides are used for chemical control and should be used as soon as you notice an issue.

Anthracnose Management in Green Gram/Mung Bean

The Causal Organisms of Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose disease in green gram is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, also known by its sexual stage name, Glomerella lindemuthianum. The fungus produces septate, hyaline, branched mycelium, and conidia in acervuli. The conidiophores are short and hyaline and bear oblong or cylindrical, thin-walled, single-celled conidia with oil globules.

Dark-colored septate setae are also visible in the acervulus. The fungus’s perfect stage produces perithecia that contain a limited number of asci, each of which typically contains eight one or two-celled ascospores with a central oil globule.

The Disease Cycle of Anthracnose Disease

The fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is responsible for the anthracnose disease that affects the green gram. This fungus can be transmitted from seed to plant and cause primary infection. Additionally, the pathogen can survive in infected plant debris in the soil, contributing to secondary spread through the airborne dissemination of conidia. Rain splash is another factor that might contribute to the spread of the illness.

Causes/Conditions Favorable for Anthracnose Disease in the Field

Cold and wet weather conditions can increase anthracnose disease severity in green gram. High soil and plant surface moisture and humidity levels also promote the growth and spread of the fungus. Additionally, poor drainage, overcrowding, and the use of infected seed or plant material can contribute to the development and spread of the disease.

Symptoms of Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose disease in green gram can affect all aerial parts of the plant at any growth stage.
Circular, black, sunken spots with a dark center and bright red-orange margins on leaves and pods.
Small, irregular watery patches on the leaves, stem, petioles, and pods.
Spots that have merged transform into sunken lesions with dark centers and brilliant margins.
In severe infections, the affected parts may wither and die off.
Seedlings can become blighted due to infection shortly after germination.
The pathogen responsible for anthracnose can survive on seed and plant debris, leading to secondary spread through airborne conidia.
The disease usually becomes more severe during cold and wet seasons, and high humidity and moisture levels can promote the fungus’ growth and spread.

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Anthracnose Disease Yield Loss in Green Gram

Uncontrolled anthracnose disease in green gram can result in significant yield loss. According to studies, production losses range from 24 to 67 percent, making it the most common cause of yield loss caused by pathogens in this crop. Maintaining high crop yields and minimizing economic losses for farmers requires the effective management of anthracnose.

Anthracnose Management in Green Gram by Cultural Method

Anthracnose Disease in Green gram using Cultural methods, following crop rotation, and maintaining a short continuous cropping cycle. Plant disease-resistant varieties, remove and destroy infected plant debris in soil, and ensure proper drainage to limit the fungus spread. Also, practice field sanitation, use disease-free seeds, and consider hot water treatment at 54º for 10 minutes to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease.

Anthracnose Management in Green Gram by Biological Method

Green gram can also be biologically treated for anthracnose disease. One way is to treat the seeds with living things like Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Anthracnose Management in Green Gram by Chemical Method

Chemical treatment is an option for controlling Anthracnose Disease in Green gram.
Seed treatment with Carbendazim at 2g/kg and fungicide sprays with Mancozeb at 2g/l or Carbendazim at 0.5g/l are effective measures.
For best outcomes, an integrated strategy combining biological treatments and preventative measures is advised.
Fungicides like thiram 80% WP at two g/l or captan 75WP at 2.5 g/l of water can be used for seed treatment.
Fungicide sprays at 15 days intervals with folpet, Mancozeb, thiophanate methyl (0.1%), or copper oxychloride 3g/l can be effective.
The effectiveness of chemical treatment depends on favorable weather conditions.

Anthracnose Management in Green Gram by Organic/Natural Method

Organic and natural methods can be used to control the anthracnose disease in green gram in a sustainable and good way for the environment. They can also help reduce the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture.

Preventive Measures for Control of Anthracnose Disease

Controlling green gram anthracnose requires prevention measures. Certified pathogen-free seeds and tolerant or resistant varieties lower infection risk.
Monitoring plants and areas for disease and removing infected plants and debris can limit disease spread.
Weeds are alternate hosts, so weed control is essential. Field sanitation, avoiding wet situations, and cleaning tools and equipment can also prevent disease spread.
Crop rotation with non-host foods every three years breaks the disease cycle. To avoid future infections, bury or burn plant debris after harvest.
These preventive steps can reduce green gram yield losses from anthracnose disease and promote sustainable agriculture.

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Conclusion

Anthracnose disease in green gram can cause significant yield losses if left uncontrolled. To manage the disease, cultural, chemical, biological, and natural/organic control methods should be employed, including sanitation practices, disease-resistant varieties, and application of appropriate fungicides and biocontrol agents.