This document discusses the success and ongoing challenges of combating fusarium wilt susceptibility in chickpeas. It summarizes efforts over recent decades to identify sources of wilt resistance through screening landraces and developing resistant varieties. Major accomplishments include the development of varieties JG 315 and JG 74 in the 1980s and subsequent varieties in later decades. However, challenges remain such as new pathotypes of Fusarium oxysporum emerging and increasing issues with other soil-borne diseases under changing climatic conditions. Ongoing efforts are needed to incorporate multiple disease resistance and continue identifying new races of the pathogen.

1. Combating wilt susceptibility in
Chickpea – A Success story and
Challenges ahead
D.R. Saxena
Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology)
All India Coordinated Research project on Chickpea
Main Centre, R.A.K. College of Agriculture, RVSKVV
SEHORE 466001 (M.P.) India
saxenadr@rediffmail.com
ICP 2016 ICARDA Marrakech, Morocco

2. Status of Chickpea
Area
[lakh ha]
Production
[lakh tons]
Yield
[kg/ha]
World 148.04 142.49 962.25
India 107.40 (72%) 98.00 (68%) 912.48
M.P. 28.53 (27%) 29.64 (30%) 1040.00
FAOSTAT (2014)
India
Madhya
Pradesh
(M.P.)

3. 1. AICRP Main
Chickpea Centre
2. IIPR Regional
Centre
3. ICARDA Centre
on Pulses
4. Pulses
Directorate

4. India, 875
M.P., 1040
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Kg/ha
Productivity of chickpea in 21st Centuary

5. About wilt
• Wilt has remained a major limiting factor of
chickpea production in the Mediterranean Basin
and the Indian Subcontinent (Jalali and Chand
1992).
– Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. f. sp. ciceris
(Padwick) Matuo & K. Sato (FOC).
• Annual yield losses range from 10 to 15%
(Trapero-Casas and Jiménez-Díaz,1985).
• Fusarium wilt epidemics can be devastating and
cause 100% loss under favorable conditions
(Navas-Cortés et al. 2000).

6. The nature of pathogen (FOC)
• The fungus is soil-borne and can survive
in soil for several years
• Attacks plant at seedling and flowering
stages.
• Exhibits significant pathogenic
variability, eight races of Fusarium
oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (races 0, 1A,
1B/C, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) have been
reported.
• Races 0, 1A, 5, and 6 can be identified
by means of specific molecular markers
in PCR assays (Jiménez-Gasco and
Jiménez-Díaz, 2003).
• Identification of races 1B/C, 2, 3, and 4,
or new races of F. oxysporum f. sp.
ciceris, as well as the characterization of
resistance reactions in chickpea
germplasm are dependent on traditional
pathogenicity test.
(Sharma, et al. 2005 )

7. The nature of pathogen…..
• The Races reaction of FOC
is Influenced by
temperature and soil
moisture conditions
(Landa et al. 2006) .
• Difficult to manage this
disease through crop
rotation or application of
chemicals.
• Cultivation of varieties
possessing resistance to
specific races of the
pathogen is most
economical disease
management strategy.
Survival of wilt resistant chickpea cultivar
in sick plot

8. Efforts: Identification of sources of wilt resistance
• How to maintain inoculum potential: A prerequisite
Prior Sowing of highly wilt susceptible JG 62 and mixing of wilted plants before
sowing in soil is found one of the best method to maintain the IP (3 x 10 5 CFU /g soil).
• Use of susceptible check after two tests rows
– The reaction of check ensures proper spread of inoculum in sick plot, JG
62 was identified as most susceptible check
Check JG 62
Chickpea wilt sick plot at Sehore

9. Wilt sick plots

10. Development of wilt resistant chickpea genotypes…
A Success
• In 1970’s
– Collection of land races ad their
evaluation for immediate use as
potential varieties (JG 62, JG 1, JG 5
and JG 221)
– JG 62 suffered heavily due to
wilt and presently used as
national susceptible check.
(Identified by its double pod
character)
• In 1980’s
– Identification of wilt resistant
genotypes JG 315 and JG 74
– JG 315 globally known for
its multi race resistant
behavior.
– JG 74 is being used for
differentiating races of FOC.
JG 62
JG 315

11. Chronological development of wilt resistant chickpea
genotypes
• In 1990’s
– Development of JG 218 and JG 322
– Gulabi Chickpea JGG 1
– Release of wilt resistant variety JG
11 in 1999.
• Significant impact in changing scenario
of chickpea cultivation in India. It has
covered more than 75 per cent area in
Southern India.
• In 2000’s
– Release of wilt resistant early
maturing JG 16, JG 130, JAKI 9218
and JG 6 varieties has made
tremendous impact in chickpea
cultivation in Madhya Pradesh which
witnessed with the increase in area,
production.

12. Chronological development of wilt
resistant chickpea genotypes……..
• In 2010’s
– Wilt resistant, thermo-
tolerant varieties were
developed which were
suitable for late planting
with over 2t/ha yield
potential RVG 201, RVG
202 and RVG 203
– Sources for wilt
resistance in kabuli types
were identified and
RVKG 101 and RVSJKG
102

13. Recent developments
• Identification of donors
for wilt resistance
– In deshi types
• JSC 35
• JSC 40
– In kabuli Types
• RVKG 37
– Recommended as
National Donors

14. Identification of FOC pathotypes
Chickpea differentials reaction (12 nos.) indicated presence
of race 2 and 4 of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri in M.P.

16. Prevalence of FOC races in M.P.

17. Alternative approach to manage
chickpea wilt and root
Boost plant health
Through Micronutrient application …

18. Incidence of wilt/root can be reduced by the application of 1g
Ammonium molybdate/Kg of seed along with PSB and Rhizobium
• Use of 1g Ammonium molybdate/Kg seed as seed
treatment along with PSB and Rhizobium

19. Challenges Ahead….
• Effect of climatic changes on
expressivity of FOC races
• Development of new
pathotypes of FOC
• Increasing incidence of other
soil-borne pathogens like
Rhizoctonia bataticola and
Sclerotium rolfsii.
• Lake of durable wilt
resistance in Extra large
kabuli types
• Legume v/s legume cropping
system in Central India
(Soybean vs. Chickpea)
Wilt Root rot
Collar rot

20. • Identification of cause of chickpea
mortality at early stage
• In soybean based chickpea cropping
system mortality in chickpea at pre-
flowering stage was observed
• The cause was identified as
Colletotrichum dematium
(A New threat to this cropping system)
• Some of the known wilt resistant
varieties like JG 315 was susceptible,
causing 40-50 % loss during 2010-11.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Weatherparameters
Dates
Weather data during rabi 2010-11
Max.
Temp.
Min.
Temp.
Max.
Humi.
Min.
Humi.
Rain fall
Challenges Ahead….

21. Challenges ahead…
• Wilt coupled with root rot is posing threat to
chickpea cultivation.
• Intensity of wilt/root rot is more in rain-fed
conditions.
• Climatic changes are influencing inoculum
potential of wilt and expressivity of FOC races.
• There is need of incorporating multiple
disease resistance for wilt and root rot.

22. Conclusion
• The traditional method of screening chickpea
germplasm and identifying races by the use of
differentials has to be continued, till the MAS
become affordable.
• The races picture of FOC is not very clear in some
parts of India, needs attention.
• Climatic changes influencing races of FOC.
• Root rot is emerging as a potential threat to
chickpea cultivation due to climatic changes.
• Regular monitoring of diseases is essential.

23. ThanaThanks for your kind attention