Dry Root Rot of Chickpea: A Disease Favored by Drought

Chickpea is an essential crop for protein nutrition and is grown around the world in rain-fed conditions. However, chickpea cultivation is under threat due to emerging diseases favored by drought stress. Dry root rot (DRR), an economically devastating disease, is an example. Chickpea-specific strains of a necrotic fungal phytopathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina, cause DRR. Microsclerotia of this fungus, which are capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, serve as primary inoculum. Initial symptoms are scattered necrotic spots in roots, progressing to rotting and withering lateral roots, accompanied by prematurely dried, straw-colored foliage. The recent rise in global temperature and worsening of drought spells have aggravated DRR outbreaks in chickpea. To date, DRR epidemiology has not been clarified in detail. Also, the literature lacks clarity on M. phaseolina taxonomy, morphology, disease progression, and diagnosis. In this article, research progress on patterns of DRR occurrence in the field and belowground and aboveground symptoms are clarified. In addition, the current understanding of taxonomy and management practices is elaborated. We also summarize knowledge of the impact of drought and high temperature on DRR severity. Furthermore, we provide future perspectives on the importance of host resistance, quantitative trait loci identification, and genotype screening for the identification of resistant genotypes. The article proposes new research priorities and a corresponding plan for the mitigation of DRR.