Sustainable Management of Major Fungal Phytopathogens in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) for Food Security: A Comprehensive Review.

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a globally important energy and food crop that is becoming increasingly integral to food security and the environment. However, its production is significantly hampered by various fungal phytopathogens that affect its yield and quality. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the major fungal phytopathogens affecting sorghum, their impact, current management strategies, and potential future directions. The major diseases covered include anthracnose, grain mold complex, charcoal rot, downy mildew, and rust, with an emphasis on their pathogenesis, symptomatology, and overall economic, social, and environmental impacts. From the initial use of fungicides to the shift to biocontrol, crop rotation, intercropping, and modern tactics of breeding resistant cultivars against mentioned diseases are discussed. In addition, this review explores the future of disease management, with a particular focus on the role of technology, including digital agriculture, predictive modeling, remote sensing, and IoT devices, in early warning, detection, and disease management. It also provide key policy recommendations to support farmers and advance research on disease management, thus emphasizing the need for increased investment in research, strengthening extension services, facilitating access to necessary inputs, and implementing effective regulatory policies. The review concluded that although fungal phytopathogens pose significant challenges, a combined effort of technology, research, innovative disease management, and effective policies can significantly mitigate these issues, enhance the resilience of sorghum production to facilitate global food security issues.