Mode of inheritance of resistance to ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei [Pass.] Labr.) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and its consequences for resistance breeding

A disease‐rating data set collected for ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei [Pass.] Labr.) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in different environments and with different isolates of the pathogen showed that resistance against the disease is quantitative, with a significant vertical component. Lower mean environmental disease ratings will enhance effective selection for resistance. It is proposed that gene pyramiding, using diverse germplasm and pathogenic isolates be used to combat the disease