Elucidation of host resistance for chickpea wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris)

A total of 1890 elite chickpea breeding lines were phenotyped against wilt disease of chickpea incited by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (race 2) during 2004-2011 and were also evaluated for yield potential. Finally, 67 best performing lines were further evaluated for wilt resistance during 2012-15. Pooled data of three years indicated that the wilt incidence in elite breeding lines of chickpea varied from 6.7 to 19.8%. Significant (P< 0.001) difference in wilt incidence was noticed among the elite breeding lines due to the presence of unique genetic diversity. In the present study, ten lines viz. IPC2010-121 (3249 kg/ha), IPC2005-45 (2628 kg/ha), IPC2007-04 (2758 kg/ha), IPC2007-36 (2568 kg/ha), IPC2010- 03 (3042 kg/ha), IPC2010-05 (2767 kg/ha), IPC2010-78 (3042 kg/ha), IPC2010-173 (2975 kg/ha), IPC2011-94 (3418 kg/ha) and IPC2012-03 (3030 kg/ha) were showed resistance against Fusarium wilt with higher yield. The resistant lines identified in the present study can be utilized in breeding programmes for developing wilt resistant cultivars in chickpea. Some of the high yielding resistant lines identified can be used for cultivation after fulfilling required criteria for releasing variety for cultivation.