Aspects of Wilt Disease in Gram with Special Reference to Haryana State

Much work needs to be carried out in standardising development of wilt sick plots, using adequate ingredients, particularly the pathogen. Rhizocionia as an important factor of early damage in gram should receive pointed attention and need not be mixed up with other wilt causing organisms. A distinction will perhaps have to be made between laboratory resistance to a single virulent race of wilt-causing organism and field tolerance because the latter takes care of the interaction between pathogen and several other important factors. Although not entirely consistent, the data obtained in Haryana show a definite contribution of other agroclimatic and genotypic factors. The high contribution of initial moisture alone, almost to an extent of about 90% of average yield indicates a method of checking wilt by application of a pre-sowing irrigation wherever possible. This practice is actually being recommended in those regions of Haryana which have recently benefited from lift irrigation schemes. Also, there is a great scope of exploiting other agronomic variables in enhancement of production by minimizing wilt incidence. Screening of genotypes for wilt tolerance in gram will perhaps become more efficient through simultaneous screening for drought tolerance, salinity tolerance and even tolerance to micronutrient deficiency as for zinc. The tolerant or resistant types isolated in different parts of the country should be more extensively used for breeding purposes through exchange of material. There is need for critical experimental evaluation of the various wilt contributing factors in different gram cultivation zones so as to help overcome the serious problem of gram wilt in the country