Field Pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i>) Diseases of Major Importance and Their Management in Ethiopia, a Review

Abstract

The field pea (Pisum sativum), is a significant legume crop that enhances soil fertility while providing curtail human nourishment. However, due to biotic factors like diseases, its productivity is quite low (1.67 t/ha). Hence, the objective of this study is to provide insight into the economic significance, distribution, and current management strategies for these most significant diseases as well as to establish future approaches. The current significant diseases affecting field pea production include fungal diseases such Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta pisi), powdery (Erysiphe pisi), and downy mildews, Fusarium wilt, and rust. The most severe of these are Aschochyta blight and powdery mildew, which on field pea in larger areas result in significance yield losses (30-75% and 50-86%, respectively), and under favorable environmental conditions, 100% losses can be expected. The majority of small-scale farmers in impoverished nations like Ethiopia, where these pests cause serious losses, cannot afford the chemical pesticides that are the mainstay of existing pest control tactics. Therefore, research on host pant resistance for these pests’ management techniques and farmers to better understand frequent symptoms, whether on the field or in storage conditions, must be major areas of focus for reducing impact in the future.