Understanding Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean: comprehensive insights, threats, and interventions from the Asian perspective

Front Microbiol. 2024 Jan 11:14:1304205. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1304205. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important crop in Asia, accounting for 17% of global soybean cultivation. However, this crop faces formidable challenges from the devastating foliar disease, Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a biotrophic fungus with a broad host range, causing substantial yield losses (10-100%) in Asia. This comprehensive review consolidates knowledge on ASR, encompassing its impact, historical perspectives, genetic diversity, epidemic drivers, early detection, risk assessment, and sustainable management strategies of ASR in the region. ASR has expanded globally from Asia, reaching Africa and Americas, driven by wind-dispersed urediniospores. Genetic diversity studies reveal the complexity of P. pachyrhizi, with distinct populations exhibiting varying virulence patterns. Factors affecting ASR epidemics in Asia include host susceptibility, landscape connectivity, climate, and environmental conditions. Understanding the interplay of these factors is essential for early intervention and control of ASR in soybean fields. Effectively managing ASR can exploit the utilization of diverse intervention strategies, encompassing disease forecasting, automated early detection, disease resistance, fungicide application, and biological control. A pivotal aspect of successful, sustainable disease management lies in reducing the ASR pathogen virulence and preventing it from developing fungicide resistance, while the highpoint of effectiveness in disease control is attained through a synergistic approach, integrating various strategies. In summary, this comprehensive review provides insights into multifaceted approaches that contribute to the development of sustainable and economically impactful soybean production in the face of the persistent threat of ASR in Asia.

Keywords: Phakopsora pachyrhizi; biological control; detection; fungicides; migration; prediction; resistance.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Research Management Committee of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh (Grant Number: 37.12.0000.133.34.004.20.27) and by Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences.