Pathogenic Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum , Neocosmospora solani , and F. falciforme Associated With the Fusarium Wilt/Root Rot Disease Complex of Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum )

A wide range of Fusarium species have been reported as associated with the Fusarium wilt/root rot disease complex in chickpea growing areas of the world. However, interactions between specific Fusarium species and chickpea are not well‐documented. This study characterized the pathogenicity of three Fusarium species ( F . oxysporum , Neocosmospora ( Fusarium ) solani and F . falciforme ) associated with the Fusarium wilt/root rot disease complex in the Western Mediterranean region of Türkiye and examined their interactions with the host by considering three agronomic traits (plant height, root weight and biomass) of chickpea. Seven isolates of F . oxysporum , Neocosmospora ( Fusarium ) solani and F . falciforme were investigated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Pathogenicity tests were carried out using soil inoculation technique in a greenhouse. Foliar and root rot symptoms expressed by chickpea plants in each interaction were characterized in detail. All isolates of the Fusarium species led to significant ( p < 0.01) reductions in the agronomic traits of chickpea. Overall reductions in root weight, biomass and plant height were 58.85%, 53.05% and 35.81%, respectively. Of the Fusarium species, F . oxysporum had the highest pathogenicity, followed by Neocosmospora ( Fusarium ) solani and F . falciforme . Disease ratings (root rot score and foliar score) were positively correlated with the reductions in the examined agronomic traits. This study comprehensively quantified interactions between specific soilborne Fusarium species and chickpea and presents new knowledge contributing to the epidemiology of the Fusarium wilt/root rot disease complex of chickpea.