Screening for resistance against Rhizoctonia bataticola causing dry root-rot in chickpea

One hundred seventy chickpea genotypes procured from AICRP-Chickpea Unit, NBPGR and ICRISAT were evaluated for locating new and better sources of resistance against dry root rot through blotter paper technique and in multiple disease sick fields at JNKVV, Jabalpur during 2007 to 2010. The susceptible cultivar BG 212 showed 100 per cent mortality i.e. rating 9 in 1–9 scale. The studies led to conclusion that out of 170 accessions, 68 genotypes exhibited resistant reaction (<10% mortality), out of which 26 are the promising lines namely (JG 1–14, 2–125, 2-4-110, 14–11, 14–10, 2001–13, 2001–13, 2001–18, 2001–80, 2001-115, 2002–20, 2003–95, 2003-14-16, 2004-110, 210, 9605, 1–9, 99–115, 2001–04, 2003-14-2, JG 2000–07, JSC 37, MPJG 89–11551, MPJG 89–9023, CSJ 592 and Rajas) from JNKVV, Jabalpur. These lines further evaluated for their performance in sick field for three consecutive years and revealed six lines viz., JG 2000–07, JSC 37, MPJG 89–11551, MPJG 89–9023, CSJ 592 and Rajas as resistant exhibiting <10 per cent mortality, however 14 lines showed moderately resistance reaction. Resistant genotypes had white healthy root system with greater number of lateral roots. All other lines having >20% mortality showed necrotic root lesions leading to extensive root rotting. The genotypes identified as resistant are of great value and may be exploited in breeding programme for developing high yielding resistant varieties.