Recent Advancement in Management of Soybean Charcoal Rot Caused by Macrophomina Phaseolina

Charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina severely threatens soybean production. Moisture stress, high temperature of soil and air, and soil nutrient deficiency aggravate its incidence. The necrotrophic nature of the fungus and the ability to produce numerous stress-tolerant microsclerotia complicate its management. Therefore, understanding the host–pathogen interaction in different climatic conditions and mechanisms of pathogenicity are crucial in strategically combating the disease. In this chapter, we outline the symptomatology, disease cycle, epidemiology, and disease evaluation methods, insights into host–pathogen interaction, resistance mechanisms, identified resistance/tolerant sources, and strategies for an effective and sustainable way of managing this disease in soybean.