Screening Desi and Kabuli Chick Pea Varieties against Fusarium Wilt Resistance in West Gojam, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is the largest producer of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Africa. A number of abiotic and biotic factors are responsible for its yield gaps of being below its’ potential. One of the greatest biotic stress reducing potential yields of chickpea is Fusarium wilt, Twenty-one chickpea varieties from Desi and Kabuli type were screened against Fusarium wilt resistance at Adet Agricultural research center naturally on the field condition and artificially in screen house. The design used on this experiment was randomized complete block design (RCBD) on field condition with three replications and completely randomized design(CRD) inside screen house with three replications to identify the best resistant Desi and Kabuli chickpea varieties against Fusarium wilt of chickpea on field and to study the aggressiveness of the pathogen. The Desi and Kabuli chickpea varieties showed significant variation in all tested disease and crop parameters. From Desi varieties, the highest percentage of incidence (73%) was recorded from the variety Dube and three were moderately resistant, two were susceptible and six were highly susceptible. From Kabuli chickpea varieties, the highest percentage of incidence (68%) was recorded from the variety Habru and one variety (Dehera) was resistant, four were moderately resistant and five were highly susceptible. There were no highly resistant chickpea varieties from Desi and Kabuli chickpea varieties. Therefore, breeders should develop highly resistant chickpea varieties for Fusarium wilt of chickpea.