OCCURRENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR DISEASES OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.)
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Date
2022
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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
Collar rot, Alternaria blight and Fusarium wilt are the major production
constraints that severely affect chickpea production. A thorough study was carried out to
find the occurrence and distribution of diseases of chickpea and its management through
host plant resistance, fungicides, bio agents and soil amendments.
Extensive survey were carried out in 5 major chickpea growing districts (Ranchi,
Palamu, Godda, Hazaribagh and Lohardaga) and the result revealed that in all the
locations surveyed none of the field remained free from the disease. Incidence of Collar
rot ranged from 5 to 18.33 %, Wilt ranged from 12.5 to 30% and Alternaria blight ranged
from 17.61 to 23.58% in the surveyed areas of Jharkhand during Rabi 2020-21.
The collar region of plant turns soft, slightly contracts and begins to decay in
Collar rot. Water-soaked, circular and pale brown lesions appeared on leaf margin and
tip resulting in defoliation are the major symptoms of Alternaria blight whereas drooping
of the petioles, rachis and leaflets followed by blackening of xylem vessel occurred as
symptom of wilt.
Pathogenicity of isolated pathogens were proved by three different methods viz.,
soil inoculation, seedling inoculation and leaf inoculation method.
In respect to cultural characteristics, S. rolfsii produced extra white, dense,
cottony, fan shaped, fluffy mycelium on PDA. Colony of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri
induced cottony white mycelium having characteristic purple pigmentation. In case of
Alternaria alternata, colonies were initially off white cottony which later became light
green on upper surface and dark black at the bottom.
Studies on morphological character of S. rolfsii revealed that the sclerotial bodies
are spherical in shape, 1.2 mm dia. arranged in peripheral position. Microscopic
observation of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri yielded ovoid to ellipsoidal microconidia having
0-1 septa. Macroconidia were fusiform, blunt at both ends with 2-4 septation and
chlamydospore were globose in shape. The conidia of A. alternata were born in chains,
light olivaceous to dark brown in colour, obclavate to ellipsoidal, muriform having 0-3
longitudinal and 2-6 transverse septa.
Sensitivity of fungicides showed that S. rolfsii was completely inhibited by
Propineb and Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5%. Complete inhibition of F. oxysporum
f.sp. ciceri was achieved by Carbendazim as well as combination of Mancozeb 62% +
Carbendazim 12% whereas combination of Tricyclazole 18% + Mancozeb 62% and
Mancozeb 62% + Carbendazim 12% gave cent percent inhibition in the mycelial growth
of A. alternata. Among bio agents, T. harzianum showed maximum antifungal activity
with S. rolfsii and F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri whereas T. austroconingii was most effective
against A. alternata. Studies on integrated management showed that seed treatment with
T. harzianum @ 6 g/kg + Soil drenching with Carbendazim @ 2g/L + Foliar spray with
Mancozeb 62% + Carbendazim 12% @ 2g/L recorded highest seed germination, lowest
disease incidence and supported maximum crop yield. Management through soil
amendment resulted that seed treatment with Carbendazim @ 2g/kg + Soil application of
Spent mushroom compost @ 10q/ha enriched with T. harzianum proved significantly
superior in reducing Collar rot, Wilt and Alternaria blight incidence under artificial as
well as natural epiphytotics. Varietal screening revealed that out of 30 entries, 4 test
entries showed resistant reaction and 5 entries exhibited moderately resistant reaction
against S. rolfsii. 8 test entries recorded Moderately Resistant reaction against F.
oxysporum f.sp. ciceri and 2 test entries showed resistant whereas 3 entries recorded
moderately resistant reaction against A. alternata.