Determination of reactions of chickpea (Cicer spp.) genotypes against fusarium wilt agent Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris

Chickpeas supply high quality protein to the South and West Asia and the Mediterranean Basin. Chickpea Fusarium wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is one of the fundamental yield-limiting factor of chickpea in these areas. The most efficient control measure of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is to breed resistant varieties requiring efficient population characterization of the causal agent. This study was conducted to investigate the races of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris in chickpea cultivating areas in Turkey and to screen wild (C. reticulatum) and cultivated (C. arietinum) genotypes with race 0 and 2 to define resistant/tolerant lines. Eighteen isolates were screened by using C-104, JG-62, JG-74, GPS-1, BG-212, WR-315, L-550, GHAFFA, K-850, ANNIGERY, ILC482, and BG-215 genotypes to define the races. Pathogen isolates showed differences in symptoms of the disease. Among the isolates used in the study, the lowest virulence level was found with FDK6 (race 0) and the highest virulence level was in FAKM 25 (race 2). The BG-215 genotype was found to have the highest level of resistance in all isolates, while C-104 was determined as the most susceptible genotype. Among the genotypes tested in C. reticulatum and C. arietinum resistance genetic resources against race 0 and 2 of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris were identified. The data obtained would support breeding studies in chickpea against F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceris.