CHICKPEA BLIGHT: FORMER EFFORTS ON PATHOGENICITY, RESISTANT GERMPLASM AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Ascochyta blight (AB) is a devastating and widespread fungal disease
of chickpea caused by Ascochyta rabiei L. AB-prone environments are
characterized by prolonged cool, cloudy and moist climatic conditions
during the crop season. Former reports are evident that AB epidemics
caused partial to complete yield losses of the chickpea crop depending
upon severity of infections. The pathogen generally survives between
seasons through infected crop debris and infected seeds. Exploitation
of resistant genotypes, extensive tillage, manipulation of sowing dates,
destruction of crop residues, seed treatment with fungicide, rotation of
non-host crops and foliar fungicide applications are helpful in disease
management. The previous research findings put emphasis on further
exploration of the genetics, ecology, variability and the host-pathogen
interaction to devise more effective disease management strategies.
Through this review we have attempted to summarize former efforts
related to pathogen, its biology, genetic variability, influential factors,
resistant sources and disease management option with an emphasis to
future prospects of AB.