{
    "title": "Plant Health for Food Security: ICRISAT\u2019s Integrated Approach to Grain Legume Disease Management",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-12 05:45:32",
    "published_at": "2026-05-11 23:44:00",
    "url": "https://pressroom.icrisat.org/plant-health-for-food-security-icrisats-integrated-approach-to-grain-legume-disease-management",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/i0Gd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "International Plant Health Day Feature | 12 May 2026",
    "slug": "plant-health-for-food-security-icrisats-integrated-approach-to-grain-legume-disease-management",
    "body": "<p>Healthy plants are the foundation of agricultural productivity, food security, and resilient farming systems. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, plant pests and diseases are responsible for the loss of up to 40% of global food crops each year, resulting in agricultural trade losses exceeding USD 220 billion annually. </p><p>Rising temperatures and changing climate patterns are further accelerating the spread of pests and diseases into regions where they were previously unknown.</p><p>As the world prepares to increase agricultural production by nearly 60 percent by 2050 to feed a growing population, safeguarding plant health has become more important than ever. </p><p><strong>On the occasion of the International Day of Plant Health, ICRISAT leverages science and innovation to build resilient agricultural systems across the drylands of Asia and Africa.</strong></p><p>ICRISAT takes an integrated approach to plant health by combining host plant resistance, biological control, predictive analytics, climate science, and farmer outreach. </p><p><strong>Breeding for Better Plant Health</strong></p><p>One of the most effective and sustainable ways to manage crop diseases is through developing resistant crop varieties. ICRISAT scientists continuously work to strengthen crops against major pests and diseases affecting dryland agriculture.</p><p>Over the years, the institute has developed and promoted several resilient crop varieties, including fusarium wilt, ascochyta blight, sterility mosaic diseases in chickpea and pigeonpea.. </p><p>These genetic improvements reduce dependence on chemical interventions while helping farmers protect yields under increasingly challenging climatic conditions.</p><p>ICRISAT genebank has played an important role in conserving the genetic base for strengthening the disease resistance breeding pipeline.</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b/-/crop/5987x3171/0,678/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b/-/crop/5987x3171/0,678/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b/-/crop/5987x3171/0,678/-/preview/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"&lt;em&gt;Dr Mamta Sharma, Principal Scientist &amp;ndash; Pathology, ICRISAT, showcased the Centre of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Production and Protection (CoE-CCRPP) to Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR, during her visit to ICRISAT.&lt;/em&gt;\"\n                id=\"image-6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b\"\n                data-id=\"6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b/-/crop/5987x3171/0,678/-/preview/-/inline/no/EMD+and+Dr+Mamta+Sharma+at+Center+of+Excellence+on+climate+change+research+for+plant+production+and+protection+%28CoE-CCRPP%29.JPG\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6bdbbdd2-4071-4ecc-bdc5-6a1fdff9199b/-/crop/5987x3171/0,678/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Dr Mamta Sharma, Principal Scientist \u2013 Pathology, ICRISAT, showcased the Centre of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Production and Protection (CoE-CCRPP) to Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR, during her visit to ICRISAT.\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"><em>Dr Mamta Sharma, Principal Scientist &ndash; Pathology, ICRISAT, showcased the Centre of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Production and Protection (CoE-CCRPP) to Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR, during her visit to ICRISAT.</em></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Harnessing Nature for Sustainable Crop Protection</strong></p><p>ICRISAT&rsquo;s plant health research goes beyond breeding. Dedicated legumes pathology and entomology teams are advancing environmentally sustainable approaches to pest and disease management through biological control and integrated crop management strategies. </p><p>The institute&rsquo;s research has contributed significantly to biological control solutions for soil borne disease complex (wilt and root rots in legumes) and pests such as borers, miners and fall armyworm, providing socially acceptable and environmentally safer alternatives to excessive pesticide use. </p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2e4f526a-1555-4f13-89ff-35109f1ce5ca/-/crop/893x482/0,246/-/preview/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\" Spotted pod borer, &lt;em&gt;Maruca vitrata&lt;/em&gt;, on pigeonpea plant\"\n                id=\"image-2e4f526a-1555-4f13-89ff-35109f1ce5ca\"\n                data-id=\"2e4f526a-1555-4f13-89ff-35109f1ce5ca\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2e4f526a-1555-4f13-89ff-35109f1ce5ca/-/crop/893x482/0,246/-/preview/-/inline/no/MV_Larvae3.png\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2e4f526a-1555-4f13-89ff-35109f1ce5ca/-/crop/893x482/0,246/-/preview/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\" Spotted pod borer,  Maruca vitrata , on pigeonpea plant\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"> Spotted pod borer, <em>Maruca vitrata</em>, on pigeonpea plant</figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Digital Tools Bringing Science Directly to Farmers</strong></p><p>Digital agriculture and predictive analytics are becoming increasingly important in plant health management. ICRISAT is integrating weather data, AI-driven models, and field monitoring systems to provide real-time advisories to farmers.</p><p><strong>Building Advanced Facilities for Future Challenges</strong></p><p>ICRISAT continues to invest in advanced research infrastructure to strengthen preparedness against emerging plant diseases in Asia and Africa. Recently, the institute inaugurated a state-of-the-art Dry Root Rot Phenotyping Facility at its headquarters in Patancheru, India. </p><p>In Nairobi, Kenya, ICRISAT also established a Fusarium Wilt Screening Facility at Kibiko to strengthen regional research and disease screening efforts in Africa.</p><p>These facilities complement ICRISAT&rsquo;s broader climate change research infrastructure focused on understanding how changing environmental conditions influence plant-pathogen interactions and pest emergence. </p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025/-/crop/7574x3939/232,261/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025/-/crop/7574x3939/232,261/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025/-/crop/7574x3939/232,261/-/preview/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"&lt;em&gt;Inauguration of the Dry Root Rot Phenotyping Facility at ICRISAT headquarters in Patancheru [Apr 2026]&lt;/em&gt;\"\n                id=\"image-321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025\"\n                data-id=\"321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025/-/crop/7574x3939/232,261/-/preview/-/inline/no/ICP_1868.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/321f88f8-d642-472a-a122-c453876e4025/-/crop/7574x3939/232,261/-/preview/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Inauguration of the Dry Root Rot Phenotyping Facility at ICRISAT headquarters in Patancheru [Apr 2026]\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"><em>Inauguration of the Dry Root Rot Phenotyping Facility at ICRISAT headquarters in Patancheru [Apr 2026]</em></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building</strong></p><p>Plant health resilience depends not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on the ability to share knowledge and strengthen local capacity. ICRISAT is strengthening plant health systems across India and Africa through targeted farmer trainings, stakeholder consultations, and science-led advisory programs that combine research, capacity building, and digital agriculture tools. </p><div\n    id='gallery-f993a7df-7b1c-438c-a80a-b19d3f4d44ec'\n    class='release-content-gallery release-content-gallery--layout-contained'\n    data-component='chromatic-gallery,image-zoom-popup'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-padding='S'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-thumbnail-size='S'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-captions='data:application/json,true'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-photos='data:application/json;base64,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'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-force-full-width='data:application/json,true'\n    data-chromatic-gallery-expand-icon='data:text/plain;base64,PHN2ZyBjbGFzcz0iaWNvbiBpY29uLWV4cGFuZCI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgICAgICA8dXNlIHhsaW5rOmhyZWY9IiNpY29uLWV4cGFuZCI+PC91c2U+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDwvc3ZnPg=='\n    data-image-zoom-popup-selector='.chromatic-gallery__photo'\n    data-image-zoom-popup-i18n='data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0='\n    data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-view-event='Story Image View'\n    data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event='Story Image Download'\n    data-image-zoom-popup-placement='content'\n></div><p>In Ethiopia, ICRISAT, in partnership with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), organized a three-day consultation workshop on &ldquo;Legume Plant and Soil Health for the Entire Legume Value Chain&rdquo; during late 2025. The consultations brought together national agricultural research systems, universities, extension agencies, and private-sector stakeholders to address critical constraints affecting legume production, including soil degradation, plant diseases, seed quality, and climate-linked pest pressures.</p><p>Similarly in India, farmers from Odisha participated in hands-on training programs focused on healthy seed production, seed treatment, seed purity, and improved sowing practices to reduce disease incidence and improve crop establishment. These practical trainings are designed to strengthen local seed systems while improving awareness of plant health management at the farm level.</p><p><strong>Securing Plant Health for a Changing Climate</strong></p><p>Emerging and transboundary pests and diseases demand stronger preparedness, better predictive systems, resilient crop genetics, and sustainable management practices. ICRISAT&rsquo;s work demonstrates how combining advances in host plant resistance, biological control, climate-informed decision tools, and farmer-centered innovations can help build resilient agricultural systems for the future. As climate risks intensify, strengthening plant health will remain central to ICRISAT&rsquo;s vision of ensuring food, nutrition, and livelihood security for millions of smallholder farmers across the drylands of Asia, Africa and beyond. </p><div id=\"video-a3094def-5997-43df-ab39-e36053b843d5\" class=\"release-content-video release-content-video--embed release-content-video--contained\">\n    <div><div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe data-iframely-url=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FQDRTpvdavjI%23_cb1778480971&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\"></iframe></div></div><script async src=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n</div><div\n    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src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9a54d1b8-b32d-4ad1-8b4a-e36cdd6771f8/-/crop/185x185/0,1/-/preview/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Parkavi Kumar\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Parkavi Kumar</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Senior Communications Specialist &ndash; Asia</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:parkavi.kumar@icrisat.org\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"parkavi.kumar@icrisat.org\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>parkavi.kumar@icrisat.org</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:+91 (40) 30713296\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"+91 (40) 30713296\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>+91 (40) 30713296</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.icrisat.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"icrisat.org\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>icrisat.org</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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            "name": "Parkavi Kumar",
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        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "ICRISAT Communications",
        "last_name": "Asia"
    },
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}