Effect of Genotype Resistance and Fungicide Rates on Fusarium Wilt Incidence of Chickpea

Abstract

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is a soil and seed borne disease affecting chickpea which is widely distributed where chickpea is grown. It causes yield losses in the range of 12 to 100 % depending on the level of resistance of the genotype and suitability of environmental conditions for disease development. Management of soil borne diseases mainly involves use of preventive measures because it is harder to control the disease once established. Host plant resistance is frequently used in conjunction with fungicidal seed treatment in managing diseases of this nature. Thiram and carbendazim are used in majority of the crops as seed dress fungicides against a wide variety of pathogens. The efficacy of the rates of these two fungicides against Fusarium wilt of chickpea were evaluated at four levels (0%, 50%, 100% and 150%) of the recommended rate for each (1.5 g/Kg seed); in the field in a split plot arrangement. Two varieties, Chania 1 which is moderately resistant and Chania 2 which is highly susceptible were used in the study. Lower wilt incidences were observed in moderately resistant Chania 1. The best Fusarium wilt management was observed with 150% rate for either fungicide at all growth stages. There were significant interactions between fungicide treatments and variety (resistance), leading to lower wilt incidence in moderately resistant Chania 1 variety at low fungicide rates.