Resistance in Chickpeas to Ascochyta rabiei. K. B. Singh, Plant Breeder, Food Legume Improvement, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria. G. C. Hawtin, Program Leader, Food Legume Improvement, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria; and Y. L. Nene, Program Leader, Pulse Improvement Program, and M. V. Reddy, Pulse Pathologist, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru P.O., Andhra, Pradesh 502 324, India. Plant Dis. 65:586-587. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-586.

A technique for large-scale screening of chickpeas for resistance to Ascochyta blight involves interplanting a susceptible spreader line, scattering infected debris between rows, spraying with spores from infected plants, and providing high humidity by sprinkler irrigation. By this screening method, in two to three seasons, 21 lines and 36 progenies in the F₄ to F₇ generations were identified as resistant among 9,385 genotypes involving germ plasm lines and segregating populations. Four lines were resistant in three Mediterranean countries. Three accessions, one each of the wild species of Cicer pinnatifidum, C. montbretti, and C. judaicum, were highly resistant.