Status of pea rust disease in Jammu region

Pulses, being a crucial source of protein, are an essential addition to the predominantly cereal-based diet of the large Indian population. Among the major pulses grown in India, pea (Pisum sativum L.) is considered one of the most important. However, pea diseases significantly constrain production in developing countries, affecting both yield (quantitatively) and seed quality (qualitatively). Notably, pea rust, caused by Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) J. Schrot, is the most significant disease under warm and humid conditions.Our findings conducted field surveys in the districts of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua within the Jammu division to evaluate the current status of pea rust at three critical crop stages before flowering, pod filling, and maturity. The findingsindicate that pea rust is prevalent across all surveyed pea-cultivating areas. Disease incidence ranged from 24.89% to 65.88% before flowering, 29.54% to 76.87% at pod filling and 35.90% to 86.33% at maturity. Corresponding disease intensity ranged from 6.08% to 24.88%, 8.07% to 30.56%, and 9.82% to 34.89%, respectively. The overall mean disease incidence was 41.99% before flowering, 50.26% at pod filling and 57.51% at maturity, while the mean disease intensity was 12.03%, 15.27% and 20.20%, respectively. Detailed surveys within each district revealed variations in disease metrics with the highest disease incidence and intensity observed in Chak Surhe village, Jammu district (86.33% and 34.89%) and the lowest in Dilwan village, Kathua district (25.99% and 6.08%) at maturity stage. These results underscore significant variability in pea rust impact across different regions and growth stages within the Jammu division.