Advances in Resistance Breeding against Yellow Mosaic Virus in Blackgram: A Review
Abstract
Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV), primarily transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), poses a critical threat to blackgram (Vigna mungo) cultivation across tropical and subtropical regions. The virus causes severe yield losses by inducing yellow mosaic symptoms, stunted growth and poor pod development. This review summarizes current advancements in resistance breeding, encompassing conventional selection, marker-assisted selection (MAS), QTL mapping and biotechnological tools such as genome editing and transcriptomics through comprehensive analysis of published literature from 1991 to 2025. Traditional control measures, including vector management, are often ineffective due to environmental and viral variability. Resistance breeding has emerged as a sustainable solution, supported by the identification of resistant germplasm, wild relatives and molecular markers. The paper highlights challenges like pathogen variability, limited genetic diversity and environmental influences. Future perspectives emphasize integrating high-throughput phenotyping, genomic resources and collaborative breeding strategies to develop durable, high-yielding, YMV-resistant blackgram cultivars. These efforts are essential for enhancing productivity, food security and climate resilience in pulse-growing regions.