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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260746
Title: Ascochyta blight of chickpea

Author
item BAYAA, B - International Center For Agricultural Research In The Dry Areas (ICARDA)
item Chen, Weidong

Submitted to: Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2010
Publication Date: 1/10/2011
Citation: Bayaa, B., Chen, W. 2011. Ascochyta blight of chickpea. Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests. p. 34-40.

Interpretive Summary: Ascochyta blight is a serious disease of chickpea worldwide. The pathogen Ascochyta rabiei infects all above ground part of chickpea plants and causes significant yield losses. This chapter describes the distribution, symptoms and pathogen of Ascochyta blight of chickpea. Photographic illustrations are extensively provided and management options are recommended.

Technical Abstract: Ascochyta blight of chickpea is caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Ascochyta rabiei. The disease is a serious yield constraint of chickpea worldwide. The pathogen causes necrotic lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, pod and seeds under cool and humid conditions. The pathogen survives in crop debris in the fields and in infected seeds, and is spread by windblown ascospores in the spring and by splash rain during growing season. Partial resistance to the disease is available and in general small seeded chickpea express more resistance than large-seeded chickpea. Two pathotypes are recognized and can be managed through use of partially resistant varieties in combination of using effective fungicides.