A Review on the Management of Country Bean (<em>Lablab purpureus</em> L.) Diseases in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: Country bean (Lablab purpureus L.) is an important pulse crop consumed as a vegetable in the central and south-western regions of Bangladesh after eggplant and taro. It promises to ameliorate nutritional demand from vegetables and has an excellent possibility for the world market. But the production is hampered due to infection of several diseases in field conditions. Research method: This study was undertaken based on secondary data of existing literature from Bangladesh and other parts of the world. So far, many research works were done on this issue but those were not available to the policy makers, extension workers, and public in a systematic manner to date. Findings: In this paper, we tried to bring forth different aspects of phytopathological problems of country bean. It usually undergoes stresses from different soilborne to seed-borne pathogens and expresses symptoms from the seedling stage to maturity. Crop protection largely depends on the integration of host plants, seeds, agronomic practices, environmental footprints, and the use of appropriate agrochemicals based on the epidemiology of target pathogens. Here, we also described effective management strategies against respective pathogens of the diverse category. These microorganisms attack at different stages of crop growth and can affect the host plants enormously to cause maximum yield loss. Research limitations: The study focused on the management of country bean diseases based on biological and chemical approaches. It presents limited information on specific technologies in different agroecological zones. Originality/Value: This study identified research gaps among Bangladesh and other countries. It also provides information to combat country bean diseases to the economic threshold level for ensuring sustainable crop yield.