Epidemiology of ascochyta blight of chickpea in Australia / by Muhammad Shahid Akhtar Khan.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the etiology of a blight disease of chickpea in south-eastern Australia and the factors affecting disease development. The disease had previously been identified as phoma blight. Pathogenicity testing revealed two isolates subsequently identified as Asochyta rabiei, the first conclusive identification in the southern hemisphere. Greenhouse screening of chickpea varieties identified types resistant to ascochyta blight. The effects of plant age and environmental conditions on disease development were investigated under controlled conditions in growth rooms. Seedlings were more susceptible than older plants. The optimum conditions for ascochyta blight were 20C and a 48-96 h period of leaf wetness. Through field trials it was found that disease intensity increased over time, especially in cv. Desavic. The means of penetration of the chickpea host was established in histological studies. This study provided advance warning of this disease for the expanding chickpea industry, and has allowed the implementation of appropriate disease management strategies. It is recommended that cv. Desavic should not be grown where ascochyta blight is likely to be a problem.