A Case For Induced Mutation In Chickpea For Ascochyta Blight Resistance

Chickpea (Cicer aria tin at L.) is an important grain leguae grown in several coiaitries. Blight caused by Ascochyta rebiol (Pass] Labrousse Is widespread and results In considerable losses in several countries (2, 5, S, 8, 11, 12, 14, IS, 17, 19, 22, 26, 29, 30, 51, 33, 35, 36, 38, and 40). Extensive efforts have been aade by earlier workers to identify resistance sources and aaniadxe losses through the development of resistant/tolerant varieties (1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 20 21, 23, 2S, 28, 34, 36, and 38). Host of the screening work has been carried out in fields, either in areas where natural epiphytotics occur or through artificial field inoculations in areas where the disease is not always severe (13, 16, 24, 25, 32, and 37)