Screening of Advanced Germplasm against Ascochyta rabiei and its Management

Ascochyta blight is caused by Ascochyta rabiei, one of the most prevalent chickpea diseases worldwide. Losses could reach as high as 100%, and this damage could significantly affect both seed quality and production. The most effective way for the management of this disease is genetic resistance. Seventeen chickpea varieties/lines were screened against a virulent isolate of Ascochyta rabiei in controlled environmental conditions. Advance Line-2, Bittle-2016, and Noor-2009 within the germplasm exhibit a moderately resistant reaction. TG-1415 and Advance Line-1 demonstrate a moderately susceptible response. On the other hand, Noor-2013, Star-Channa, and Rohi display a highly susceptible response. In the poisoned food technique among applied treatments at 50 ppm, Diphenoconazole proved be best, with a 46% reduction in the growth of the pathogen, followed by propiconazole and Azoxystrobine+Diphenoconazole with 45.5 % and 45%, respectively. In the mean while in glasshouse evaluation at 50ppm, Diphenoconazol proved best with a minimum disease severity of 24%, followed by propiconazole and Metalaxyl with a 25.9% and 27% reduction in disease severity, respectively.