An Introduction to Anthracnose of Horsegram

Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Syn. Dolichos biflorus) is a hardy, drought resistant, under exploited annual legume, grown extensively in peninsular India as poor man's pulse crop. Horsegram seeds are rich in protein (23%) and its nutritional value is comparable with other pulses. Fodder of horsegram contains 10.5% protein, 44.8% crude fibre and is widely used as a feed to animals, especially horses. Horsegram lipids were shown to be protective and promote healing effects on acute gastric ulceration produced by alcohol and also known to dissolve and dislocate the kidney stones in human beings. Sporadic reports of occurrence of anthracnose in horsegram have been reported from India and it can cause infection to an extent of 68% in horsegram. Although anthracnose is considered as a minor disease of horsegram, it may attain the status of major disease in future due to the effect of climate change at global level. As there is meagre information available on etiology and sources of resistance against anthracnose of horsegram in Andhra Pradesh, the present studies were undertaken to understand the seed borne nature of the pathogen along with its preventive management.