• Dr.Yogesh Kumar

Fungal pathogens remain among the most devastating biotic stresses affecting agricultural productivity and global food security. They infect a wide range of staple crops, including cereals, legumes, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables, resulting in substantial yield reductions and post-harvest losses. It is estimated that fungal diseases alone can cause 10–20% of global yield losses annually, and in epidemic years these figures may be considerably higher, threatening both subsistence farmers and commercial agriculture. The complexity of fungal pathogens, including their rapid evolutionary potential, wide host ranges, and adaptability under changing climatic conditions, poses persistent challenges for crop protection strategies. This review synthesizes advances in the detection and control of fungal pathogens affecting major food crops. Traditional approaches such as morphological and cultural identification remain foundational but are increasingly complemented by modern technologies including molecular diagnostics (PCR, qPCR, LAMP, DNA barcoding), next-generation sequencing, biosensors, nanotechnology-enabled tools, and remote sensing platforms. These technologies provide more rapid, sensitive, and field-adaptable solutions for early detection and surveillance.Equally important are developments in control methods. While chemical fungicides continue to play a significant role, overreliance has led to resistance development, environmental concerns, and regulatory restrictions. Consequently, integrated disease management (IDM) strategies combining cultural practices, host plant resistance, biological control agents, botanicals, and nano fungicides are gaining prominence. Case studies of diseases such as Fusarium head blight of wheat, late blight of potato, and grey mold of grapes demonstrate the potential and limitations of various strategies. Future prospects lay in the integration of advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, CRISPR/Cas-mediated resistance breeding, microbiome engineering, and precision agriculture systems into crop health management. The review highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches, combining classical pathology with biotechnology, data science, and ecological principles, to develop sustainable, climate-Change solutions for fungal disease management.

Fungal pathogens, food crops, detection methods, molecular diagnostics, biological control, integrated disease management (IDM), nanotechnology, plant microbiome

"Fungal Pathogens of Major Food Crops: A Review of Detection and Control Methods", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 9, page no.d589-d606, September-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2509380.pdf

"Fungal Pathogens of Major Food Crops: A Review of Detection and Control Methods", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 9, page no. ppd589-d606, September-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2509380.pdf