FUSARIAL WILT (FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SR CICERI) OF CHICKPEA/GRAM (CICER ARIETINUM L. ) AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN MIDDLE GUJARAT
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Date
1998
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AAU, Anand
Abstract
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the oldest and a particular pulse crop having special significance in the dietary of the predominantly vegetarian population of India. India is the leading chickpea growing country of the world and sharing 65 per cent acreage and 75 per cent total grain yield of the world. Among all the fungal diseases, wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is the main constraint in Gujarat State. Wilt incidence in the field is wide spread in its occurrence and causes great losses to the crop. About 10 per cent loss in grain yield is due to wilt disease and considered to be a common feature in chickpea growing states of India (Grawal et al. , 1974). This disease generally appears by the end of December. Drooping of the leaves followed by severe wilting and necrosis of the tissues at collar region and at main roots are the chief symptoms. Fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri causing gram wilt produced infective propagules microconidia (2.5-3.5 x 5-11 um), macroconidia (3.5-4.5 x 25-65 um) and chlamydospore. This fungus grew only under aerobic conditions with the profuse growth and sporulations. Significantly, the highest dry mycelial weight (417.25--mg) was recorded on Richards' solution with adjusted pH 6.0 on 15th day of incubation at 26 ± 2°C temperature. On replacement of various C and N sources from the basal medium, mannitol and potassium nitrate again proved as the best C and N source, respectively - in the Richards' solution. DL-Alanine individually gave significantly the highest dry mycelial weight (465.50 mg) . Biotin (1 ppm) as vitamin, supported the maximum (453.25 mg) dry mycelial weight and sporulation followed by riboflavin and folic acid. Several plant debris-particularly the steam sterilized leaves and flowers were used to ascertain the preference for growth, sporulation and chlamydospore production. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri grew well on the leaves of cotton followed by tur(arhar), mungbean and bougainvillea. Similarly, maximum mycelial growth of the fungus was noticed on the flowers of chrysanthemum followed by C. carinatum , gallardia, canna (yellow, orange and pink colour) and mustard flowers.
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Keywords
Plant Pathology, Agriculture, A Study