Abstract: Standing milkvetch (Astragalus adsurgens) is a very important native perennial pasture plant in China. At the end of the 20th century it occupied more than 67000 ha, but since then has declined sharply due to the onset of fungal disease. Yellow stunt and root rot (YSRR), first detected in Gansu province, is a major factor in the decline of milkvetch pasture. YSRR is a seed-born, systemic disease that can be spread by wind and water flow. Infected plants show symptoms of yellowing and necrosis stunting in leaf blades, discoloration of stems from brown to black and, in extreme cases, plant death. This pathogenic fungus is closely related to locoweed endophytes, which are therefore useful for research on its evolutionary origins. This paper summarizes studies of YSSR pathogen, infection cycle and control methods. It also discusses prospects for further research.