Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is one of the important grain legume crops cultivated in the semi-arid tropics, playing a crucial role in the economic well-being of subsistence farmers. India is the major producer of pigeonpea, accounting for over 75% of the world’s production. Sterility mosaic disease (SMD), caused by Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus (PPSMV) and transmitted by the eriophyid mite (Aceria cajani), is a major constraint to pigeonpea cultivation in the Indian subcontinent, leading to potential yield losses of up to 100%. The recent characterization of another Emaravirus associated with SMD has further complicated the etiology of this challenging viral disease. This review focuses on critical areas, including the current status of the disease, transmission and host-range, rapid phenotyping techniques, as well as available disease management strategies. The review concludes with insights into the future prospects, offering an overview and direction for further research and management strategies.

Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) is a serious biotic restraint in pigeonpea-growing regions of the Indian subcontinent. Disease control using chemicals like acaricides is not economical or sustainable, pointing towards host plant resistance as the ideal strategy for its management. In this study, from preliminary screening of 75 pigeonpea germplasm accessions and breeding lines, 21 pigeonpea genotypes showing moderate resistance to SMD were selected and again assessed at two multi-environment locations during Kharif 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. Analysis of variance partitioned the variation between the main effects of genotype and genotype × environment (GGE). The results revealed a significant variation (p ˂ 0.05) in the SMD incidence between the tested genotypes, environment, and their interactions. Genotype variance contributed the greatest effect (63.56%) to the total variation and it represents the maximum disease variation. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found for the levels of SMD incidence between the test environments. We observed that SMD incidence had a high negative correlation with the maximum temperature (r = −0.933), and positively correlated with the rainfall (r = 0.502). Analysis of principal components 1 and 2 of the GGE explained 95.33% of the total variation and identified 10 genotypes (G1, G3, G4, G8, G10, G12, G13, G15, G20, and G21) showing moderate resistance stability across the environments. As new sources of resistance to SMD, these genotypes should be incorporated in pigeonpea breeding trials for further release. This research broadens the area of phenotyping and identifies stable resistance sources that can be used in future SMD resistance breeding projects.

Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) presents a major challenge in pigeonpea cultivation throughout the Indian subcontinent. Chemical control methods, such as acaricides, are neither economically viable nor sustainable, making host plant resistance the preferred approach for managing this disease. In this study, we evaluated 45 pigeonpea germplasm accessions and breeding lines for SMD resistance over two consecutive Kharif seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23). Of the 45 genotypes tested, 8 exhibited low disease incidence (0-10%) (LRG-471, ICPL 151, ICPB 2089, ICPB 2047, ICPB 2092, ICPB 2211, ICPL 85063, and ICPL 14003) and were classified as resistant. Additionally, 23 genotypes showed disease incidence between 10.1-20.0% and were categorized as moderately resistant. These resistant genotypes offer promising new sources of SMD resistance and should be considered for inclusion in future pigeonpea breeding programs aimed at improving resistance. This research provides valuable phenotypic insights and identifies stable resistant sources essential for advancing SMD resistance breeding efforts.

Currently, huge crop losses in countries’ genetic resources result from emerging or re‐emerging plant viral diseases, making food security a constant challenge. A critical examination of recent tissue culture practices in Ethiopia reveals numerous limitations that have contributed to the limited advancements of plant tissue culture (PTC) techniques, particularly in virus detection and elimination. This review focuses on virus elimination through in vitro techniques of economically important crops in Ethiopia. The in vitro techniques, such as the creation of a double haploid production protocol to promote traditional propagation systems in economically important crops, are competent by screening for biotic stress tolerance. PTC research institutes at the federal and state levels, on the other hand, are less collaborative and have limited human, material, and financial resources. It has a strong national capacity for massive eradication of plant viruses, which includes human resources, tissue culture, and greenhouse facilities. Priority is to be given to developing long‐term agricultural research institute relationships within the country as well as encouraging foreign research institute collaboration.