Management of chickpea Ascochyta blight using fungicides and cultivar resistance improves grain yield, quality, and grower profitability

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.942220
• Publication Date: 2022-10-03T10:53:39Z
• Authors: Joshua Fanning; Jason Brand; Isabel Munoz Santa; Linda McDonald; Julian Taylor; Grant Hollaway
• Keywords: Ascochyta; Chlorothalonil; Propiconazole; Tebuconazole

International production of chickpea is under constant threat from the fungal disease Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei). In Australia, there limited cultivar resistance, and management reliant on foliar applied fungicides. Several recently registered fungicides in Australia that combine active ingredients with different modes actions, have been shown to curative properties. this study, presence blight, severity, grain yield quality were measured subsequent gross margin for growers calculated seven field experiments conducted Victoria (Australia) across three seasons. These investigated effects of: two cultivars differing resistance (PBA Striker Genesis 090), several fungicide strategies control blight. Fungicides actions (Tebuconazole + Azoxystrobin, Bixafen Prothioconazole Fludioxonil Pydiflumetofen) before a rainfall event (preventative) or after first signs (post-infection). Older, single compared included Captan, Chlorothalonil, Propiconazole, all preventatively. Maximum severities ranged 87% at Horsham 94% Curyo seasons Nhill recording during 2020. Demonstrating benefit management, losses substantially lower partially resistant 090 (64%) susceptible PBA (96%), The preventative reduced 96 64% 51 15% 090, respectively, demonstrating management. Across environments, comparison between preventatively post-infection highlighted both profitable ($23-$1,095/ha), except when dry conditions less than 0.6 t/ha. post infection timing had greater sites/seasons higher rainfall, but dual ingredient could allow reduction number applications, thus improving profitability. importance controlling through improve yields, quality, grower