Genetic Resistance in Desi and Kabuli Chickpea Lines to Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris

Twenty five lines each of desi and of kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated for Fusarium wilt resistance during 2008–09 season in the field (wilt sick plot) and greenhouse at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. Fifteen desi and nine kabuli lines were found resistant (d"10% mortality) to Fusarium wilt. Significant positive correlation was found between greenhouse and field screening techniques (r = > 0.84, P < 0.0001). Additionally, phenological traits and yield were also recorded for all the lines in the disease free field at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Six wilt resistant desi lines (ICCV 09118, ICCV 09113, ICCV 09115, ICCX-030042-F4-P12-BP-BP, ICCX-030037-F4-P9-BP-BP, ICCX-030042-F4-P1-BP-BP) and two kabuli lines (ICCV 09308, ICCV 09314) matured early between 99–107 days and yielded more than the control cultivars JG 11 for desi (2208 kg/ha yield) and JGK 1 for kabuli (2243 kg/ha). These early maturing, high maturng, high yielding and wilt resistant desi and kabuli chickpea lines can be useful sources for breeding wilt resistant varietie