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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260747

Title: Dry root rot of chickpea

Author
item Chen, Weidong

Submitted to: Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2010
Publication Date: 1/10/2011
Citation: Chen, W. 2011. Dry root rot of chickpea. Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests. p. 15-16.

Interpretive Summary: Dry root rot of chickpea is an important disease the semi-arid tropics of Ethiopia, and in central and southern India. It usually occurs late in the growing season during flowering and podding stages. Symptoms include drooping of petioles and leaflets of the tips. The pathogen is the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. The pathogen has a wide host range, including many cultivated legume crops. The pathogen survives in soil as mycelium and sclerotia on debris. Management practices are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Dry root rot of chickpea is a serious disease under dry hot summer conditions, particularly in the semi-arid tropics of Ethiopia, and in central and southern India. It usually occurs at reproductive stages of the plant. Symptoms include drooping of petioles and leaflets of the tips, but not the lower part of the plants, thereby differentiating the disease from Fusarium wilt. It is caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. The pathogen infects more than 500 plant species, including many cultivated legume crops. No host specialization has been reported. The pathogen survives in soil as mycelium and sclerotia on debris. Management of the disease relays on planting resistant cultivars, fungicide application and cultural practices like deep plowing and early planting.