Development and evaluation of a non-chemical method with microwave source for disinfection of legumes

Abstract

Lentil is one of the important pulse crops in the world; however, its production is threatened by economically important diseases. Two of the devastating seedborne diseases of this crop, across the world and in Australia, are Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta lentis, and Botrytis grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea and Botrytis fabae. Lack of genetically diverse sources of disease resistance in cultivated lentil varieties has increased dependence on fungicides to control these diseases. However, still, huge production losses are recorded worldwide as overuse of fungicides has resulted in the pathogen adaptation by mutations leading to their resistance and a reduction of fungicides eff..