Abstract

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SEEDBORNE FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F.SP. CICERI IN CHICKPEA WILT COMPLEX

Dr. Lily Trivedi* and Y.P.S. Rathi

ABSTRACT

Chickpea wilt complex is associated with numerous pathogens, among which Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri is the major pathogen. The fungus is seed borne and mycelium is present in the hilium region of the infected seeds from where it was isolated. Since seed borne infections attack in the initial stage of seed germination therefore, the effect of organic soil amendments, bioagents Trichoderma sp. and Rhizobium sp., alone and along with fungicides were observed on seedling emergence, seedling mortality, radical and plumule length. Four varieties/genotypes of chickpea - Local Variety, Pant G-114 variety, ICCL 87322 genotype and H208 variety were used. Isolated Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was present as internal seed borne infection, Maximum loss to all treatments was in H208 whereas minimum in Pant G114. Among the different combinations of fungicides and bioagents used as seed treatments, Vitavax and Thiram +Trichoderma sp. combination was found to be the best treatment in all varieties in regard to increase in seed germination and decrease in seedling mortality.

Keywords: Cicer arietinum L., Chickpea wilt, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri, Bioagents, Fungicides, Varieties/genotypes, Integrated Management.