Root Rot of Chickpeas and Lentils Caused by Thielaviopsis basicola. R. L. Bowden, Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843. M. V. Wiese, J. E. Crock, and D. L. Auld, Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843. Plant Dis. 69:1089-1091. Accepted for publication 28 June 1985. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-1089.

Surveys of pulse fields in northern Idaho and eastern Washington in 1984 showed that chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) often bore severe black root rot symptoms. Lentils (Lens culinaris) typically bore similar root rot symptoms, except they were less severe than on chickpeas. Thielaviopsis basicola was isolated from 58 and 13%, respectively, of chickpea and lentil root pieces. Both species were susceptible to infection by T. basicola in greenhouse tests, and the pathogen was successfully reisolated. Chickpeas were more susceptible to infection than lentils or peas (Pisum sativum). No differences in pathogenicity were detected among six cultures of T. basicola originally isolated from peas and chickpeas. Sources of partial resistance were found in breeding lines of chickpeas and lentils. This is the first report of root rot of chickpeas and lentils caused by T. basicola under field conditions.

Keyword(s): Fusarium avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella, Pythium spp.