Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part N (2025)

Powdery mildew is a worldwide airborne disease that is especially harmful for late-planted crops and late-maturing pea cultivars. Although Erysiphe pisi is the primary cause, infections in peas have also been connected to other species, including E. baeumleri and Erysiphe trifolii. Pod count, biomass, node number, seeds per pod, and plant height are all affected by this disease, which can result in yield losses of 25% to 50%. Furthermore, it deteriorates the quality of green peas.

Fungicide application, early sowing, and the development of resistant cultivars are examples of current control strategies. Although systemic and protective fungicides are both beneficial alternatives, public concerns about pesticide use, environmental effects, and the increasing prevalence of fungicide-resistant disease strains are making them less popular. Interest in alternate approaches to disease management has risen as the consequence.

Non-chemical substitutes including soluble silicon, various oils, plant-derived extracts, and salts are being studied but are not yet suitable for broad commercial application. Mycophagous arthropods, yeasts, fungi, and mycolytic bacteria have all demonstrated promise in biological control; however, further research is need to confirm their efficacy in practical settings.

The most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly management strategy is still genetic resistance. er1 is the most often utilized resistance gene in breeding efforts, and only three resistance genes—er1, er2, and Er3—have been found in Pisum species to date. But depending heavily on one gene increases the chance of resistance breaking down, particularly if new strains of the virus appear. The long-term durability of resistance may be improved by adding polygenic resistance or combining many important resistance genes.