Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri and Rhizoctonia bataticola isolates causing wilt complex in Chickpea

Abstract

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxisporum f.sp. ciceri) is a major constraint to chickpea production worldwide and under favorable conditions, it is known to cause up to 100% loss. Another important disease emerging as a potential threat to chickpea cultivation in post- flowering stage is dry root rot (Rhizoctonia bataticola) because of the extraordinary host range, geographical distribution and environmental adaptability of this pathogen. Six isolates of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri (HF-1, HF-2, HF-3, HF-4, HF-5, HF-6) and two isolates of R. bataticola (HR-1, HR-2) were isolated from the infected chickpea root samples collected from different chickpea growing districts of U.P. All the isolates of both the test pathogens exhibited variability in cultural characteristics and pathogenicity. However, these did not show much variation with respect to shape and colour of mycelium, micro conidia, macro conidia and chlamydospores or sclerotia. HF-4 and HR-2 isolates were found to be the most pathogenic isolates.