Abstract:
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the major pulses in human diet for essential source
of inexpensive protein. Wilt disease is one of the major constraints in production of
chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is widespread in chickpea growing
areas resulting in considerable economic losses. Surveys were conducted during the rabi
season of 2014-2015 and 2015-16 to obtain information on the distribution and natural
incidence of chickpea wilt in the Agro-ecological condition of undulating red and lateritic
zone of West Bengal, India. A mean disease incidence ranging from 13.90% to 27.76 %
was observed during both of the years of survey. Comparison of the incidence level of
wilt disease in three districts the pooled analysis indicated that the district Purulia had
maximum level of disease incidence ranging from 21.45 to 27.76% followed by Bankura
district 19.84 to 24.87%. Birbhum district was noticed with less incidence levels ranging
from 13.90 to 23.85% during seasons under surveyed. It was evident from the investigation
that the incidences of Fusarium wilt disease of chickpea varied with the location, variety and
season. The study provided an elementary idea about the disease severity pattern in the
zone.
