Resistance in Chickpea to Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis. R. B. Brinsmead, Department of Primary Industries, Hermitage Research Station, Warwick 4370. M. L. Rettke, Department of Primary Industries, Hermitage Research Station, Warwick 4370; J. A. G. Irwin, Botany Department, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4067; M. J. Ryley, Department of Primary Industries, Tor Street, Toowoomba 4350; and P. W. Langdon, Department of Primary Industries, Meiers Road, Indooroopilly 4068, Australia. Plant Dis. 69:504-506. Accepted for publication 16 October 1984. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-504.

In 1981, more than 200 chickpea lines (Cicer arietinum) were screened for field resistance to Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis in two trials on land known to be naturally infested with the pathogen. Twenty of the most promising lines were tested again in three trials in 1982. Several of these lines were shown to have significantly superior field resistance compared with the commercial cultivars Tyson (known as C235 elsewhere) and Opal. This field resistance was confirmed in a controlled-environment inoculation test, which showed that a glasshouse screening technique could be readily developed provided inoculum levels were strictly controlled.