Recent progress in the research of fungal diseases in broad bean

Disease is one of the primary factors limiting the production of Vicia faba. This paper reviews recent progress in studies of major fungal diseases in broad bean, including investigations of varieties, distribution, effects on plant growth, physiology and biochemistry, genetic disease resistance, disease epidemiology, and prevention and control technologies. It also discusses research prospects in the occurrence, prevention, and control of broad bean diseases, in order to establish a theoretical basis for disease control. Fungal diseases affect plants in a variety of ways, including elevation of transpiration, intracellular Na⁺ levels, and phenol and amino acid contents, which negatively affect chloroplast membranes and produce toxins. Faba bean varieties differ in their disease resistance, and disease occurrence is closely related to levels of tannins, amino acids, and the expression of disease resistance-related genes, such as members of the Af family. Seeds, diseased plants were the initial sources of infestation; conditions such as highly moist and warm soil or air promote disease occurrence and epidemic. Therefore, controlling the field environment is also very important to prevent diseases. It is possible to effectively prevent and control diseases through valuable agricultural practices, such as the cultivation of disease-resistant varieties, crop rotation, intercropping, biological control measures (e.g., application of Pseudomonas fluorescens), red light treatment, and the application of chemical pesticides (e.g., zineb and triadimefon).