September 25, 2003

 

Controlling Ascochyta Blight in Chickpea

Research to control Ascochyta blight in chickpea continues at North Dakota State University Research Extension Centers in North Dakota, according to Bob Henson, research agronomist at the Carrington Center.

Ascochyta blight attacks the leaves, stems, and pods of chickpea, reducing both yield and quality. "Humid weather during the past few growing seasons has favored the development of the disease, resulting in severe economic losses to North Dakota producers," Henson says. "Until genetically-resistant varieties are developed, alternative control measures are needed."

Of 46,500 acres seeded to chickpea in Montana and North Dakota during 2001, only 30,000 acres were harvested because of Ascochyta blight problems. Ascochyta blight is also a major problem for growers in the Pacific Northwest and Saskatchewan.

During the first two years of research, various strobilurin fungicides were tested for effectiveness in controlling Ascochyta blight. The two strobilurin formulations, Headline and Quadris were found to be superior. "We also found that multiple applications gave us better control than using one higher rate, but we still weren’t getting the control we wanted," Henson says.

In phase two of the project, research centers on comparing the results of fungicide treatments on various chickpea varieties and market classes. Chickpea is classified into "desi" or "kabuli" types. Desi has a pigmented tan to black seed coat and a small seed size. Kabuli, sometimes called garbanzo bean, has white to cream-colored seed coats with seed size ranging from small to large. It is used manly in salads and vegetable mixes.

"The large-seeded kabuli chickpea is grown for the export and canning markets but is very susceptible to Ascochyta," Henson says. "An alternative may be the small kabuli type, which is less susceptible to Ascochyta, can be used in flour and may be higher yielding than the large-seeded kabuli."

The desi type chickpea also appears less susceptible to Ascochyta, according to Henson. It also produces higher yields, can be used in flour or for other uses such as livestock feed.

Chickpea research is being conducted at the Carrington, Minot and Hettinger Research Extension Centers. Field trial data from the 2003 growing season will be available later this fall.

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Source: Bob Henson: (701) 652-2951, robert.henson@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 282-2448, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu