Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important pulse crop in India, occupying about 38% of pulse crop area and contributing around 50% of total pulse production. It is a rich source of protein and essential nutrients. India is the world's largest producer and consumer of chickpeas. Chickpea cultivation requires moderate rainfall, well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soils, and optimum sowing times of mid-October in northern India and early October in peninsular India. Proper seedbed preparation and crop rotation are important for good yields of this winter season pulse crop.

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Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Importance:
Role of pulses in Indian agriculture needs hardly any emphasis; India is a premier pulse growing
country. The pulses are the integral part of the cropping systems of the farmers all over the
country because these crops fit in well in the crop rotation and crop mixtures followed by them.
Pulses are important constituents of the Indian diet and supply major part of the protein
requirements. Pulse crops, besides being rich in protein and some of the essential amino acids,
enrich the soil through symbolic nitrogen fixation from atmosphere.
In India, the total food production in 1999-2000 was about 209 million tones, out of this only
13.4 million tones was contributed by pulses. The production of cereals increased by 460 per
cent since 1950-51 the production of pulses has increased only 178 per cent. There is a shortage
of pulses in the country. The price has increased considerably and the consumer is hard hit to buy
his requirements. Thus, the availability of pulse per capita per day has proportionately declined
from 71 g (1955) to 36.9 g (1998) against the minimum requirement of 70 g per capita per day.
There is not much possibility of the import of pulses in the country. The production of pulses has
to be increased internally to meet the demand.
Gram commonly known as 'chick pea' or Bengal gram is the most important pulse crop in
India. Chick pea occupies about 38 per cent of area under pulses and contributes about 50 per
cent of the total pulse production of India. It is used for human consumption as well as for
feeding to animals. It is eaten both whole fried or boiled and salted or more generally in the form
of split pulse which is cooked and eaten. Both husks and bits of the 'dal' are valuable cattle feed.
Fresh green leaves are used as vegetable (sag). Straw of chick pea is an excellent fodder for
cattle. The grains are also used as vegetable (choler). Chick pea flour (bean) is used in the
preparation of various types of sweets. Chick pea is considered to have medicinal effects and it is
used for blood purification. Chick pea contains 21.1 per cent protein, 61.5 per cent
carbohydrates, 4.5 per cent fat. It is rich in calcium, iron and niacin.
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
Chick pea has been known in this country for a long time. It is said to be one of the oldest
pulses known and cultivated from ancient times both in Asia and in Europe. Its probable place of
origin lies in south western Asia, which is in the countries lying to the north-west of India such
as Afganistan and Persia. According to Aykroid and Doughty (1964) the centre of origin of chick
pea is eastern Mediterranean. According to De Candolle, the fact that gram gas a Sanskrit name
would indicate that the crop has been under cultivation in India longer than in any other country.
AREA AND DISTRIBUTION
Chick pea is one of the important pulse crop of the world cultivated over an area of 12.0
million hectares with a production of about 9.2 million tones of grain (1999). The important
gram growing countries are India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Burma and Turkey. India ranks first in the
world in respect of production as well as acreage followed by Pakistan.

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It is the most important pulse crop of India occupying an area of 6.3 million hectares with
production of 5.1 million tones. The average yield of chick pea is only 806 kg per hectare. The
major chick pea production areas are situated in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab.
CLASSIFICATION
The Indian grams have been classified into two broader groups:
1. Desi or Brown Gram (Cicer arientinum L.): In this group the color of the seed ranges
from yellow to dark brown. Seed size is usually small. It is the most widely grown group.
Plants are small with good branching ability. Chromosomes number is 2n = 14, 16.
2. Kabuli or White Gram (Cicer kabulium): In this group the color of the seed is usually
white. Grains are bold and attractive. Yield potential of this group is poor as compared to
desi or brown gram. Plants are generally taller than the desi gram and stand more or less
erect. The chromosome number is 2n = 16.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Chick pea belongs to family Leguminoseae. It is a small, much branched herbaceous plant
rarely exceeding 60 centimeter height. The botanical description of main parts of gram plant is
given as:
ROOT SYSTEM
Chick pea has a well developed root system. The roots usually include a central strong tap
root, with numerous lateral branches that spread out in all directions in the upper layer of soils.
There are numerous nodules on roots. The rhizobium bacteria present in these nodules fix up
atmospheric nitrogen.
Stem
Stem is generally grayish in appearance. The stem is branched with granular hairs on it. The
main branch in gram usually produces not more than one secondary shoot, but in some types the
main branches may produce numerous lateral branches.
Leaves
The leaves are pinnately compound, usually with one terminal leaflet. The number as well as
the size of the leaflet, however, varies in different types. There are 9-15 pairs of leaflets. The
leaflets of the pinnate leaves are small, and have serrated edges. The leaves are covered with
grandular hairs. The color of the leaves also varies; some being light green while other is green
or dark green. Certain types possess leaflets with red margins.
Flowers
The flowers are typical papilionaceous consisting of five sepals, five petals comprised of one
standard, two wings and two keels, ten stamens, nine fused to form one stamina column and one

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free and a carpel with the style borne laterally on the ovary. The flowers are usually solitary and
are present in the axils of the leaves. They are of various colors from white to shades of pink or
blue. Anthesis starts between 9 AM and 10AM and may continue up to 3 PM. The flowers
remain open for two days, the flowering process being over early on the second day. Self
pollination is the rule, but cross pollination may occur to the extent of about 5-10% due to
agency of insects. The pod is about 2 cm long and usually contains two seeds. A single plant
produces about 50 to 150 pods.
Seed
The seeds are spherical in shape, wrinkled and with a pointed beak. They vary a great deal in
size as well as in color. Color of seed may vary from white, light fawn, yellowish-orange, brown,
dark brownish and with a little bluish tinge. The seedcoat may be smooth or puckered and
wrinkled. The cotyledons are thick and yellowish in color.
CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS
Chick pea is a winter season crop but severe cold and frost are injurious to it. Frost at the
time of flowering results in the failure of the flowers to develop seeds or in the killing of the
seeds inside the pod. It is generally grown under rainfed conditions but gives good returns in
irrigated conditions as well. Excessive rains soon after sowing or at flowering and fruiting or
hailstorms at ripening cause heavy loss. It is best suited to areas having moderate rainfall of 60-
90 centimeters per annum.
SOIL
Chick pea is grown on a wide range of soils in India. In the north, gram is generally grown
on moderately heavy soils. In Maharashtra and on the Deccan plateau, black cotton soils are
used. Light soils, mostly sandy loams are preferred in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and
Rajasthan. Though gram is grown on all kinds of soils, sandy loam to clay loam is considered to
be most suitable. The best type of soil for chick pea is one that is well drained and not too heavy.
On dry and light soils, the plants remain short while on heavy soils having high water retention
capacity, the vegetative growth is abundant, light becomes limiting and fruiting is retarded. The
soil chosen for its cultivation should be free from excessive soluble salts and near neutral in
reaction. However, it is not suited to soils having a pH higher than 8.5.
CROPPING SYSTEM
Chick pea is sown after the harvest of kharif crops. Chick pea in rotation with cereal crops help
in controlling soil borne diseases. The most common cropping systems are as below:
1. Kharif fallow-chick pea (in barani areas)
2. Rice-Chick pea
3. Pearl millet-Chick pea
4. Sorghum-Chick pea
5. Maize-Chick pea

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Chick pea is grown mixed with wheat, barley, linseed, rapeseed and mustard crops. It is
grown mixed with toria in Tarai region.
FIELD PREPARATION
Chick pea is highly sensitive to soil aeration. This imposes a restriction for its cultivation on
heavy soils and calls for special care in seedbed preparation. A rough seedbed is required for
chick pea. In case the chick pea crop is taken after a kharif fellow, it would be desirable to go for
a deep ploughing during the monsoon as the same would help in larger conservation of rain
water in the soil profile for subsequent use by this crop. Very fine and compact seedbed is not
good for chick pea. If requires a loose and well aerated seedbed.
SEED AND SOWING
Date of sowing has been recognized as single non-monetary input affecting most the yield of
chick pea in all chick pea growing areas. Experiments conducted under the All India Co-
ordinated Pulse Improvement Project at different Centres over last several years have amply
demonstared that second fortnight of October is the optimum time for sowing chick pea in most
of the chick pea growing areas of northern India. For peninsular India, first fort night of October
is the best time for chick pea sowing. Delay beyond this period results in conspicuous reduction
in yield. Under humid sub-tropical conditions of Tarai, which are characterized by shallow water
table and relatively more winter rainfall, first fortnight of November is most suitable. Early
sowing of chick pea results in excessive vegetative growth and poor setting of pods. The early
sown crop suffers more from wilt owing to high temperature at that time.
The crop may be sown by seed drill or local plough at a row spacing of 30-40 centimeters. A
seed rate of 75-100 kg per hectare depending upon seed size may be sufficient for one hectare.
The seed should be placed 8-10 centimeters deep because the shallow be treated with 0.25 per
cent. Thiram or Carbendazim (Bavistin) before sowing.
MANURES AND FERTILIZERS
Chick pea being a leguminous crop fulfills the major part of its nitrogen requirement (about
75%) through the process of symbolic nitrogen fixation which works effectively from three to
four weeks after sowing. However, soils with low organic matter and poor nitrogen supply may
require 20-25 kg per hectare of nitrogen as starter does which can meet plant requirement before
the formation of nodules. Besides nitrogen, pulses respond very favourably to phosphorous
application if the soils are deficient in phosphorous supply. If both nitrogen and phosphorous are
required to be supplied then diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) at the rate of 100 to 150 kg per
hectare should be applied uniformly before the last discing ploughing. Responses to potassium
application have been inconsistent. It is better if all the fertilizers are drilled in furrows at a depth
of 7-10 centimeters.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Chick pea is mostly sown as a rainfed crop. However, where irrigation facilities are
available, give a pre-sowing irrigation. It will ensure proper germination and smooth crop
growth. If winter rains fail, give one irrigation at pre-flowering stage and one at pod
development stage. In no case first irrigation should be given at flowering time of gram crop. A

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light irrigation should be given because heavy irrigation is always harmful to gram crop. Excess
of irrigation enhances vegetative growth and depresses chick pea yield.
WEED CONTROL
Chick pea being a stature crop suffers severely by infestation of weeds. One hand weeding or
inter culture with hand hoe or wheel hoe after 25-30 days and second if needed after 60 days of
sowing may take care of weeds. Fluchloralin (Basalin) 1 kg per hectare in 800-1000 liters of
water as pre-planting spray may be used as an effective herbicide. It should be well incorporated
in the soil before sowing. In case Basalin is not available use Metribuzin or Prometrynen at the
rate of 1.0-1.5 kg active ingredient in 800-1000 liters of water per hectare as pre-emergence
spray. Hand weeding or inter culture with the help of hoe is always better than herbicides
because inter culture operations improve aeration in the soil.
Diseases of chickpea
There is a list of diseases of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum).
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial blight Xanthomonas campestris pv. Cassia
Bacterial leaf spot Burkholderia andropogonis
Bacterial wilt Xanthomonas campestris (Pam.) Dowson
BACTERIAL BLIGHT OF CHICKPEA

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INTRODUCTION(SYMPTOMS)
The disease first becomes evident as small, dark-green, water-soaked lesions on leaves and stipul
es. The lesions may
enlarge and coalesce, but are always delimited by the veins and develop a characteristic fan shap
e. The
lesions on the leaflets turn yellowish and later brown and papery, lesions on the pods are sunken
and turn olive-brown.
Lesions may also develop on stems near ground level. These begin as water-soaked areas, which
later turn olive-green
to dark brown. Stem lesions may coalesce, causing the stem to shrivel and die. Stem infection ma
y spread upwards to the stipules and leaflets.
Pre-emergence and post-emergence damping-off may occur, and even advanced plants may be ki
lled. Heavily infected seed may be discoloured, but light infection has no visible effect on seed.
The symptoms of bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi or Pseudomonas syri
ngae pv. syringae are indistinguishable, from each other, on the pea plant.
Disease cycle
Bacterial blight is caused by the pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi and P. syringae pv. sy
ringae. Both bacteria
can survive on seed or pea trash, whilst P. syringae pv. syringae can survive on a variety of host
plants. The disease
commonly becomes established within a field by sowing infected seed. During wet weather, bact
eria spread from
infected to healthy plants by rainsplash, wind-borne water droplets and plant to plant contact. Inf
ection may occur at any stage of plant growth and is most prevalent following frosts.
Plants damaged by frosts or any other physical damage are more susceptible to infection. Rainfal
l, heavy dews, strong
winds and cold temperatures provide the most favourable conditions for spread of disease within
crops.
Economic importance

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Bacterial blight is widespread in field peas in Victoria, but its severity varies greatly from crop to
crop and between
seasons. Severe epidemics can result in crop failure, however, losses are usually less than 20%.
Management
Bacterial blight can be avoided by using an integrated approach to management that encompasse
s planting disease- free seed, crop rotation, variety selection and avoiding early sowing.
Use of disease free seed
This is the main control measure recommended. The use of clean seed will minimise the possibili
ty of disease, provided
the land has not been cropped to peas for several years. Do not use seed from crops identified wit
h bacterial blight
during field inspections. A field inspection should occur at mid to late pod fill. Bacteria remain v
iable on seed for at least 2 years.
Rotations
To obtain a blight-free crop, peas should not be sown on land sown to peas in the previous year o
r adjacent to pea
stubble. Where possible, peas should not be grown on the same land more than once in three year
s. If disease occurs, the rotation should be extended to once in four years.
Stubble can be a significant source of inoculum. Destroy by burying, baling or burning infected s
tubble. The survival time
of inoculum is significantly reduced by burying pea trash 10 cm below the soil surface.
Time of sowing
Early sown crops are more vulnerable to bacterial blight infection than late sown crops; never so
w earlier than
recommended for your district. In areas prone to bacterial blight avoid early sowing.
Crop damage
Bacterial blight is often associated with physical crop damage such as hail, frost, strong winds, sa
nd blasting or
machinery damage. Physical damage enables bacteria to enter the plant tissue. Minimise the use
of post emergence
sprays as the severity of bacterial blight can increase if plant tissue is damaged. Avoid paddocks
where sulfonylurea residues may be present and paddocks which are more prone to frost.

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Fungal diseases
Acrophialophora wilt Acrophialophora fusispora
Alternaria blight
Alternaria alternata
Alternaria tenuissima
Aphanomyces root rot Aphanomyces euteiches
Ascochyta blight
Ascochyta rabiei (races 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)
Mycosphaerella rabiei
= Didymella rabiei [teleomorph]
Black root rot Fusarium solani
Black streak root rot Thielaviopsis basicola
Botrytis gray mold Botrytis cinerea
Collar rot
Sclerotium rolfsii
Athelia rolfsii
= Corticium rolfsii [teleomorph]
Colletotrichum blight
Colletotrichum capsici
Colletotrichum dematium
Cylindrocladium root rot Cylindrocladium clavatum
Damping-off
Pythium debaryanum
Pythium irregulare
Pythium ultimum
Downy mildew Peronospora sp.
Dry root rot
Macrophomina phaseolina
= Rhizoctonia bataticola
Foot rot
Phacidiopycnis padwickii
= Operculella padwickii
Fusarium root rot
Fusarium acuminatum
Fusarium arthrosporioides
Fusarium avenaceum
Fusarium equiseti
Fusarium solani f.sp. eumartii

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= Fusarium eumartii
Fusarium wilt Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (races 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)
Myrothecium leaf spot Myrothecium roridum
Mystrosporium leaf spot Mystrosporium sp.
Neocosmospora root rot Neocosmospora vasinfecta
Ozonium collar rot Ozonium texanum var. parasiticum
Phoma blight Phoma medicaginis
Phytophthora root rot
Phytophthora citrophthora
Phytophthora cryptogea
Phytophthora drechsleri
Phytophthora megasperma
Pleospora leaf spot
Pleospora herbarum
Stemphylium herbarum [anamorph]
Powdery mildew
Leveillula taurica
Oidiopsis taurica [anamorph]
Erysiphe sp.
Rust
Uromyces ciceris-arietini
Uromyces striatus
Sclerotinia stem rot
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Sclerotinia trifoliorum
Scopulariopsis leaf spot Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
Seedling or seed rot
Aspergillus flavus
Trichothecium roseum
Stemphylium blight Stemphylium sarciniforme
Trichoderma foot rot Trichoderma harzianum
Verticillium wilt
Verticillium albo-atrum
Verticillium dahliae
Wet root rot Rhizoctonia solani

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ALTERNARIA BLIGHT IN CHICKPEA
General Information
caused by Alternaria alternata / Alternaria tenuis.
Seed borne and soil borne disease.
Excessive vegetative growth, close, spacing, and spreading varieties favor disease development.
Symptoms
Water-soaked, small, circular, and purple lesions surrounded by chlorotic
tissues on leaflets . Lesions later turn brown to dark brown.
The infected flowers die.
Circular, slightly sunken, and irregularly scattered lesions on the pods. Affected
pods turn dirty black.
The pods contain shrivelled seeds.
Control
Sowing late. Adopting wider spacing. Intercropping with linseed.
Avoiding excessive irrigation, and vegetative growth. Adopting compact varieties.
Seed treatment with thiram 3g kg-1or vinclozolin or Dithane M- 45 (maneb).
Foliar application of vinclozolin or carbendazim or carbendazim plus thiram.

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ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT OF CHICKPEA
INTRODUCTION (SYMPTOMS):
This disease is usually first noticed in late winter when small patches of blighted plants appear th
roughout the paddock.
These spots rapidly enlarge under cool and wet conditions, joining with other spots on the leaves
and blighting the
leaves and buds (Figure 1). Small black spots (pycnidia), less than 1mm in diameter, can be seen
in the affected areas.
In severe cases of infection the entire plant dries up suddenly and small patches of brown, dead p
lants appear
throughout the paddock. The disease spreads during cool, wet weather from infected plants to sur
rounding plants by
rain splash of spores. This creates large blighted patches within crops (Figure 2). As the disease p
rogresses elongated
lesions can often form on the stem and lead to stem girdling and the stem may die and break off.
The fungus can penetrate the pod and infect the seed. Severe pod infection usually results in redu
ced seed set and
infected seed. When infected seeds are sown, the emerging seedlings will develop dark brown les
ions at the base of the stem. Affected seedlings may collapse and die.
Disease cycle
This fungal disease has an asexual and sexual stage; the asexual stage is most common in Austral
ia. In this stage the
fungus survives mainly on infected seed and on crop residues. Spores of the fungus produced on
crop residues are
carried into new crops by wind. Infection can occur at any stage of plant growth, provided condit

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ions are favourable.
Moisture is essential for infection to occur. During wet weather, the disease can spread further th
an in dry conditions
because spores of the fungus are carried onto neighbouring plants by wind and rain splash..Ascoc
hyta can develop over a wide range of temperatures (5-30°C) but develops fastest when temperat
ures are
between 15-25°C and relative humidity is high. Symptoms become visible in 4-5 days and pycni
dia develop in 7-10 days. Multiple cycles of infection can occur during the growing season.
Economic importance
To successfully grow varieties where the ascochyta disease rating is less than moderately resistan
t, foliar fungicides
need to be applied throughout the growing season to avoid serious yield losses. Varieties rated as
moderately resistant
still require at least one fungicide spray at early pod set, but the risk of yield loss is minimal. Wh
en selecting varieties the
added cost of fungicide applications needs to be considered before selecting and growing suscept
ible to moderately susceptible varieties.
Management
Management requires a combination of farm hygiene, resistant varieties, crop monitoring and the
use of fungicides.
When growing a new variety, obtain a copy of the variety management package for information
on specific disease management.
Variety
Select the variety with the highest level of resistance for ascochyta blight in your district. There a
re a range of ascochyta
disease ratings available in the commercially available varieties. For further information on disea
se ratings refer to the Victorian Pulse Disease Guide.
Seed selection
Use seed from a paddock where ascochyta was not detected or was well managed. A key strategy
is to consider

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growing varieties with the highest resistance ratings available, however all varieties will require
at least one fungicide application at early podding to prevent seed infection.
Seed treatment
Treat all seed with a seed dressing registered for ascochyta blight control.
Paddock selection
Choose a paddock at least 500 metres from last year's chickpea crop.
Sowing rate
Follow the recommended sowing rates for your district. Remember that sowing rates may vary b
etween varieties.
Time of sowing
Early sowing encourages early infection and increased levels of the disease. Follow the recomme
nded sowing dates for your district.
Foliar fungicides
The fungicide application regime required will depend on several factors including the variety gr
own, the rainfall zone and the disease risk.
Resistant varieties will generally not require spraying for ascochyta blight prior to podding, espe
cially if no lesions are
present. A single application of fungicide at podding should be sufficient to prevent seed infectio
n for these varieties.
Moderately susceptible to moderately resistant varieties will require 3-4 fungicide applications d
uring the vegetative and podding stages.
Susceptible varieties will need 4-10 fungicide applications throughout the growing season.
All varieties will require more fungicide applications than recommended in wet seasons when th
e number of potential infection periods is higher than normal.

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Note that fungicide sprays for ascochyta blight only protect the plant parts contacted by the spray
and is why sprays are best applied prior to a rain event.
Harvest
Plan to harvest as early as possible to minimise disease on seed.
All current resistant varieties still require spraying at podding as the pods are susceptible to infec
tion.
DOWNY MILDEW OF CHICKPEA
INTRODUCTION
This disease is most common soon after seedling emergence, but it may affect plants at any stage
of growth especially during periods of moist, cool weather.
Plants grown from infected seed are severely stunted and distorted, and have a sickly yellowish-g
reen appearance. The
undersides of the leaflets, in particular, are covered with a fluffy mouse-grey spore mass. Infecte
d plants may
turn yellow while producing an abundant source of spores, which cause secondary infections.
Secondary infection results in the appearance of isolated greenish yellow to brown blotches on th
e upper surface of
leaves, while on the underside of the leaf, masses of mouse-grey coloured spores are produced.
The fungus usually affects the lowest leaves and then progresses up the plant, sometimes infectin
g flowers and pods.
Infected pods are deformed and covered with yellow to brownish areas and superficial blistering.

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Disease Cycle
Downy mildew, caused by the fungus Peronospora viciae, survives in the soil and on old pea tras
h; it can also be seed-
borne. Infected seed can act as a primary source for systemic infections. Systemic infection of pl
ants can lead to the disease developing late in the season, if conditions are favourable.
The disease can develop quickly when conditions are cold (5-15°C) and wet for 4-5 days. This of
ten happens when
seedlings are in the early vegetative stage. When individual seedlings become infected they act a
s a focus of infection
from which the disease spreads. Heavy dews will promote release of spores, while rain is the maj
or means of spore
dispersal, and secondary infection. Dry, warm weather is unfavourable for the disease.
Economic Importance
Downy mildew causes most damage by stunting plants early in their growth or by killing seedlin
gs in more extreme
instances. Generally, plants will grow away from the disease as temperatures increase in late win
ter/early spring without significant yield loss.
The disease also impairs formation of wax on the leaves which makes plants very susceptible to
damage by herbicides. Substantial losses can occur in cooler districts.
Varietal selection
Growing a resistant variety is the most effective means of controlling downy mildew in districts
prone to this disease.
However, there are now two strains of the downy mildew fungus. They are the Parafield strain an

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d the Kaspa strain. The
Kaspa strain is a new strain, and prior to its emergence there were commercial varieties available
with resistance to downy mildew.
Chemical control
The main effects of downy mildew can be reduced by treating seeds with fungicides. Seed treatm
ents reduce the
number of seedlings with primary infection, thereby reducing the amount of air-borne spores that
cause secondary
infection in the surrounding crop. Seed treatments can be beneficial, and are recommended for di
stricts where downy
mildew occurs in most years. Not all fungicide seed dressings have activity against downy milde
w.
Crop rotation
Extended crop rotations and destruction of infected pea trash will minimise the risk of serious dis
ease. Extended crop
rotations allow spore numbers in the soil to decline before sowing again to field peas. A break of
at least 3 years
between field pea crops is recommended. Avoid sowing pea crops adjacent to last season's stubbl
e.
PHOMA OF CHICKPEA
INTRODUCTION (Symptoms)
Seed-borne infection often results in black-brown discolouration of the root near where the seed i
s attached. Blackening may spread up the root and cause lesions at the base of the stem.
Initial above ground symptoms are small, dark tan coloured, irregular flecks on leaves, stems, an
d pods. The flecks on
leaves enlarge to lesions and the surrounding tissue yellows. Within the lesions numerous pinhea
d-sized black fruiting
bodies of the fungus develop. On the stem, similar but more elongated lesions form.
Black lesions may completely girdle the base of the stem and root where infection is severe. Pod
lesions are
sunken, with pale centres and dark margins, and may be covered by small black spots. The fungu
s may penetrate the

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pod and infect developing seeds. Badly affected plants may be totally defoliated when infected le
aflets senesce and fall.
Disease cycle
Phoma, caused by the fungus Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella can survive on infected seed, in
soil and on crop
residue from one season to the next. Infection can occur at any stage of plant growth provided co
nditions are
favourable. Moisture is essential for infection to occur. During wet weather, the disease may spre
ad further when spores
of the fungus are carried by wind and rain splash onto neighbouring plants. Pod infection can occ
ur when the fungus penetrates the pod wall and infects developing seeds late in the season.
Economic importance
The only serious outbreaks of this disease on chickpea in Australia have occurred in very wet yea
rs. However, it is usually a more damaging disease on field pea than chickpea.
Before sowing
Use clean seed
The use of disease free seed and crop rotation will help prevent the establishment and build-up of
this disease.
Crop Rotation

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Where chickpeas have been badly infected, a two year break from host crops will minimise the d
isease risk. Crops which
host phoma include field pea, chickpea, faba bean, lupin, lentil, vetch and legume pasture species
. Cereal and oilseed crops will provide a good disease break.
Chemical control
Seed-borne disease infection can sometimes be controlled with fungicide seed dressings. No fun
gicides are known to manage this disease in crop.
Sclerotinia of chickpea
INTRODUCTION (Symptoms)
Affected plants first wilt and rapidly die, often without turning yellow. Later, as the plant dries o
ut the leaves
turn a straw colour. On the surface of the root, just below ground level, small black fungal bodies
called sclerotia,which
are irregular in size and shape, can sometimes be seen mingled with white cottony fungal myceli
um. In spring
many water-soaked spots first appear on the stems and leaves. Early symptoms of stem infection
appear as white
mycelial growth. Affected tissues develop a slimy soft rot from which droplets of a brown liquid
may exude.Infected tissues then dry out and may become covered with a web of white mycelium
growth.
Disease Cycle

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Sclerotinia is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. trifoliorum. The disease is usu
ally established from
sclerotia (survival bodies of the fungus) present in the soil or introduced with contaminated seed.
Outbreaks are most
common when very wet conditions occur in mid to late winter (July/August). The sclerotia germi
nate in moist soil and
either directly infect roots or produce air-borne spores which attack the above ground parts of the
plant. Once
established, the fungus rapidly moves to adjacent healthy tissue. Within a few days of infection,
plants start to wither
then die. Sclerotia formed on infected plants enable the fungus to survive in the soil until the foll
owing year. Individual
seeds can be infected with the fungus and/or sclerotia may be present in the seed sample. Soil-bo
rne sclerotia are the
more important disease source for causing damage to following crops. Seed infected with scleroti
nia is the source of establishing the disease in otherwise sclerotinia-free areas.
Economic Importance
Sclerotinia has caused significant crop losses where a substantial amount of the crop is infected.
This disease has
caused total crop failure where chickpeas were sown in the same paddock in successive years. H
owever in many situations it only affects a small proportion of plants within the crop.
Kabuli chickpea are most susceptible to this disease though desi chickpea can also be badly affec
ted under conditions
favourable for the disease. Dense crops are likely to be affected, particularly under moist conditi
ons.Grain quality can be
decreased when infected with sclerotinia. It causes poor colour and shrivelled seed.
Management
Before sowing:
Use clean seed.
Use of disease-free seed minimises the risk of disease and prevents establishment into a new area
. It is important to

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avoid sowing chickpea in areas where the disease is known to be present. The seed harvested fro
m infected crops should not be used for sowing.
Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is the best method of control once the disease has become established. Cereal crops
are not affected by
sclerotinia and provide a good disease break. Pulse crops, oilseeds, legume based pastures and ca
peweed are all good hosts to this disease.
If a severe sclerotinia problem does occur, a four year break from susceptible crops is required t
o substantially reduce
the number of sclerotia in the soil. The most practical option is to use cereals and legumes such a
s field peas or vetch
which have some resistance to sclerotinia. In addition, burning of the disease infected stubble sho
uld be considered.
Deep ploughing (5cm) will also reduce the number of sclerotia, and so minimise disease carry ov
er. Where a minor
sclerotinia problem occurs, a two year break from susceptible crops is advisable.
No commercial seed treatments or fungicides are known to manage this disease in crop.
Nematodes, parasitic…
Nematodes, parasitic
Dirty root (reniform nematode) Rotylenchulus reniformis
Pearly root (cyst nematode)
Heterodera ciceri
Heterodera rosii
Root-knot (root-knot nematode)
Meloidogyne arenaria
Meloidogyne artiellia
Meloidogyne incognita
Meloidogyne javanica
Root lesion (root lesion nematode)
Pratylenchus brachyurus
Pratylenchus thornei

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Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) of Chickpea
Identification:
Root knot nematodes are microscopic roundworms, obligate endo-parasites.
The root-knot nematodes are widely distributed in nurseries and uplands or in well-drained soils
all over India.
Damage:
Nematodes damage cotton by attacking the young tap and secondary roots. Their feeding stimula
tes the production of galls.
These galls interfere with the roots ability to absorb water and nutrients, and provide locations f
or other
disease-producing organisms, such as fungi (Fusarium) or bacteria, to readily enter the plant.Chl
orosis, wilting, delay in flowering and fruit formation, reduction in plant size, yield etc. may be n
oted in above ground parts of infected plants
Distinct galls shaped like spindles, beads or clubs, develop around the position where nematode
places itself in the root of the plant.
Cultural Control:
Deep summer ploughing Crop rotations with non-host crop Use of resistant varieties
Soil solarization using clear thins polythene cover for 3-6 weeks in summer has been also found

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very effective.
Plough the main field twice in summer reduces nematode population and crop damage.
If injury is high, soil fumigation may be needed.
Chemical Control:
The soil treatment of nursery beds with carbofuran @ 0.3 g a.i./ sq.m. Root dip treatment
with systematic pesticides and hot water treatment of dormant infected planting
material before transplanting in the main field is also recommended.
Viral diseases…
Viral diseases
Bushy stunt Chickpea bushy stunt virus
Distortion mosaic Chickpea distortion mosaic virus
Filiform Chickpea filiform virus
Mosaic Alfalfa mosaic virus
Narrow leaf Bean yellow mosaic virus
Necrosis
Lettuce necrotic yellows virus
Pea streak virus
Proliferation Cucumber mosaic virus
Stunt Bean (pea) leaf roll virus
Yellowing Pea enation mosaic virus

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Chickpea distortion mosaic virus
Host range and symptoms:
First reported in Cicer arietinum; from Parbhani, Maharashtra State, India.
Natural host range and symptoms:
Cicer arietinum - mosaic, leaf malformation, stunting.
Transmission:
Transmitted by a vector; An insect; Aphis craccivora Koch. A. gossypiiGlover, Myzus persicae S
ulz.;
Aphididae. Transmitted in a non-persistent manner. Virus transmitted by mechanical inoculation;
Transmitted by grafting; not transmitted by contact between plants; not transmitted by seed.
Experimental host range:
Several (3-9) families susceptible.
Diagnostically susceptible host species and symptoms:

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 Canavalia ensiformis - systemic mosaic and leaf malformation.
 Vigna unguiculata ssp. cylindrica - vein necrosis.
 Glycine max, Phaseolus lunatus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Vigna unguiculata, Nicotiana
benthamiana - systemic mosaic, mottling.
 Phaseolus vulgaris - chlorotic or necrotic local lesions, systemic mosaic and leaf malformati
on.
Diagnostically insusceptible host species:
Chenopodium album, C. amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Arachis hypogaea, Vicia faba.
Maintenance and propagation hosts:
Cicer arietinum, Canavalia ensiformis, Phaseolus lunatus, P. vulgaris.
Phytoplasmal diseases…
Phytoplasmal diseases
Phyllody Phytoplasma
INSECT PESTS
Some of the important insect pests of chick pea with their control measures are given below:
Cutworm
Gram cutworm is a serious pest in low lying areas where fields are cloddy. The larvae of this
insect remain hidden under these clods during the day time and cause damage during the night.
The caterpillars cut the plants at ground level. The pest is sporadic in nature and can be
controlled by the application of Lindane 6% granules at the rate of 20‐ 25 kg per hectare mixed
in the soil.
Gram Pod Borer
This is the most serious pest of chick pea and causes damage up to 75 per cent reduction in
yield. The caterpillar not only defoliates the tender leaves but also makes holes in the pods and
feed upon the developing grains. While feeding on the developing seeds the anterior body
portion of the caterpillar remains inside the pod and rest half or so hanging outside. When seeds
of one pod are finished, it moves to the next. Unless the pest is controlled in the initial stages of

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infestation it takes the heavy toll of the crop. As a matter of fact this pest is the most limiting
factor in gram production.
CONTROL MEASURES
1. Spray Monocrotophos (Nuvacron) 36 EC at the time of pod formation at the rate of 1 millilitre
mixed in 1 liter of water. The amount of solution may vary from 600‐800 liters per hectare. The
spray should be repeated, if needed after 15 days.
2. Alternatively, spray Endisulfan 35 EC at the rate of 1.25 liters mixed in 1000 liters of water
per hectare.
Crop becomes ready for harvest when leaves turn reddish‐brown and start shedding. Plants are
either plucked out by hand or cut with sickle. The crop is allowed to dry in sun on threshing floor
for about five to six days. Thereafter, threshing is done either by beating the plants with sticks or
by trampling under the feet of bullocks.
YIELD
Chick pea has the potential to yield far higher than the national average. A well managed crop
yields about 20‐25 quintals of grain per hectare which is about three to four times higher than the
national average.