Mitigating Verticillium Wilt: Strategies for Enhancing Cotton Production in the Face of Fungal Pathogen Pressure

Verticillium wilt, caused by the soilborne fungal pathogens Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum, poses a significant threat to cotton production worldwide. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of Verticillium wilt on cotton cultivation, focusing on its epidemiology, symptomatology, and economic consequences. The review highlights the challenges faced by cotton growers in managing Verticillium wilt and the limitations of conventional control methods, including chemical fungicides and crop rotation. Additionally, this review discusses recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton and explores innovative strategies for disease management, including host plant resistance breeding, biological control agents, cultural practices, and sustainable soil management techniques. Furthermore, the review examines the potential synergistic effects of integrating multiple disease management strategies to enhance the resilience of cotton production systems against Verticillium wilt. By synthesizing current knowledge and emerging research trends, this review aims to provide cotton growers, researchers, and policymakers with valuable insights into effective strategies for mitigating Verticillium wilt and improving cotton productivity in the face of fungal pathogen pressure.

Mitigating Verticillium Wilt: Strategies for Enhancing Cotton Production in the Face of Fungal Pathogen Pressure Keywords:

Verticillium wilt , Cotton production , Disease management , Fungal pathogens , Resistance breeding