Journal of Agronomy and Field Innovations

Charcoal rot, caused by the soil-borne necrotrophic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, is one of the most destructive diseases of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), particularly under post-flowering drought and high-temperature stress. The pathogen’s ability to survive for extended periods as microsclerotia in soil and plant debris renders conventional chemical control strategies largely ineffective, economically unviable, and environmentally detrimental. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the integrated biological management (IBM) of charcoal rot in sorghum. We elucidate the etiology and epidemiology of the disease, emphasizing the infection process and disease cycle. Furthermore, we critically analyze the mechanisms of action of major biocontrol agents (BCAs), including Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). The review highlights the integration of these BCAs with organic amendments, seed bio-priming, and cultural practices to achieve synergistic disease suppression. By exploring the biochemical and physiological dimensions of plant-microbe interactions—such as induced systemic resistance (ISR) and the production of hydrolytic enzymes—this paper proposes robust, eco-friendly strategies for mitigating charcoal rot and securing sorghum yield in the face of shifting climatic paradigms.