EVALUATION OF CHICKPEA GERMPLASM FOR RELATIVE RESISTANCE OR SUSCEPTIBILITY AGAINST FUSARIUM WILT AND ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Abstract

Recognition and use of resistant sources against pests and diseases are an integral element of a genetic improvement program. For this purpose, an evaluation of chickpea cultivars (24 advanced lines and 6 commercial varieties) was undertaken under field conditions. Three types of disease responses based on a disease rating scale of 1-9 were observed i.e. resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible. It was noticed that among 30 cultivars, none was highly resistant and asymptomatic or highly susceptible to both diseases. It was remarkably noticed that in the case of Fusarium wilt, all of the chickpea genotypes except one which performed better was categorized as resistant. Contrarily, L124 was scored as moderately susceptible. All the commercial varieties NUT (2018-19), DG-92, Rabat, Black gram, Benezir, and Synyasi were susceptible to Fusarium wilt. In the case of Ascochyta blight, all the germplasm exhibited resistant reactions except one (L124). Out of the six commercial varieties, Black gram and Benezir exhibited resistant reactions. Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight gradually increased with time after each observation. Fusarium wilt disease index in the month of March, was significantly higher on commercial varieties, including NUT (2018-19), DG-92, Rabat, Benezir, and Synyasi, ranging between 57.4-61.7% followed by cv. Black gram with a disease index of 53.7%. All the advanced lines had a low disease index as compared to commercial varieties. Similarly, in the month of March, the disease index of Ascochyta blight was lowest on L102 (38.9%) and the highest on Nut-2018-19 (59.3%) followed by Rabat and Synyasi. Significantly maximum 1000 grain weight was recorded in DG-92, L10, and L119, ranging from 304.3-305.3 g. In terms of grain yield/hectare, L117, L124, NUT (2018-19) and Black gram produced a significantly maximum yield (2916.7-2868.1 kg/ha) followed by Rabat (2638.9 kg/ha) and Synyasi (2520.8 kg/ha) whereas, the lowest yield was recorded in L121. The disease severity of both diseases was positively correlated with 100-grain weight as well as with grain yield. The study revealed the availability of resistant germplasm against two important diseases (Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight) which may be exploited in the breeding program for the development of disease-resistant cultivars and may be incorporated with high-yielding cultivars which are clearly evident in the present study.