Occurrence and Distribution of Dry Root Rot of Chickpea Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. in Arid Region of Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Dry root rot of chickpea caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is emerging as a serious threat to the chickpea production worldwide. The disease is gaining importance under the changing scenario of climate particularly in the rainfed ecologies of India and in arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan. The current study was aimed to discusses current status of the disease and role of different factors in disease development to help in searching of possible management options for researchers to alleviate the problem. Methods: A roving survey was conducted to record the occurrence and distribution of dry root rot in ten major chickpea growing districts of Rajasthan during Rabi season 2014-15 and 2015-16. In each district, minimum three locations/villages were selected, in each location/village minimum three fields were selected and the incidence of disease was recorded after counting the diseased and healthy plants. Result: Overall range of disease incidence in all the districts vary from 5.75 to 12.51 per cent with an average of 9.15 per cent in Rajasthan. The maximum disease incidence 12.51 per cent was observed in Jaisalmer district while minimum in Ajmer district. The disease was found very common in sandy and sandy loam soil than any other types of soil. The deshi/local varieties were found to be more susceptible to infection of M. phaseolina as compared to improved varieties. Disease incidence was also observed higher in sprinkler system of irrigation as compared to flood method and rainfed conditions. The maximum disease incidence was observed in plants at flowering and podding stages in the months of February and March.