Mungbean: A Preview of Disease Management Challenges for an Alternative U.S. Cash Crop

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) products and other plant-based protein sources exceeded $1 billion in U.S. sales during 2020. Nearly all of the mungbean consumed in the U.S. is imported, but it has considerable potential as a domestic crop. Its tolerance of drought and high temperatures gives U.S. farmers additional options for crop rotation. Mungbean is a short-season crop (60 to 90 d). It fits the current infrastructure of equipment, chemical, inputs, and storage for soybean and has a developed market. Similar to other crops, vulnerability to diseases can be a constraint for mungbean production. This manuscript reviews mungbean diseases causing significant yield losses in current production regions and current control options. This information will provide a useful guide to breeders and farmers to develop and produce a profitable crop, and will also equip university extension personnel with essential information to assist mungbean farmers with disease management.