Cause Several fungi or fungus-like microorganisms including Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium solani, Thielaviopsis basicola, and Pythium spp. Each survives in soil a long time and produces resistant survival structures. F. solani is favored by lighter soils and soil temperatures above 75°F. Kabuli-type chickpea varieties (beige seed coat) are more susceptible to root pathogens compared to desi types (darker colored seed coat).
Symptoms Infected plants are stunted, and lower leaves yellow dramatically. Light-colored, gray, reddish, or black lesions develop on the lower stem and roots. Often the taproot is so badly rotted, only decayed shreds are left.
Cultural control
- Do not plant chickpeas or similar hosts in the same soil more than once every 5 years.
- Avoid soil compaction and poorly draining soil, both of which favor root disease. Avoid working the ground, planting, or applying herbicides in spring when soil is too wet. Reduce tillage operations, till in fall rather than spring, and use caterpillar-type tractors if spring tilling is necessary.
- Lime soil if soil pH is below 6.5.
- Sow seed when soil is above 45°F for desi-types and 50°F for kabuli-types.
- Plant seed with good vigor as indicated by germination, vigor, and electro-conductivity tests and treat seeds with protective fungicides.
- If advised to apply nitrogen fertilizer, apply moderately.
Chemical control
- Obvius (Group 4 + 7 + 11) at 4.6 fl oz/100 lb seed plus a dye. A broad-spectrum seed fungicide combination. 24-hr reentry.
Biological control
- Amplitude ST at 2 to 8 fl oz/100 lb seeds. 4-hr reentry. O
- Bexfond at 7 to 14 fl oz/A. O
- Prestop WG. 4-hr reentry. O
- SoilGard 12G at 0.5 to 10 lb/A at 4-week intervals will suppress Pythium and Rhizoctonia. See label for specific application types and timings. Can be applied on the day of harvest. 4-hr reentry. O
- Stargus at 6 to 8 fl oz per 1,000 ft row as an in-furrow treatment. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 4-hr reentry. O
Reference Bowden, R.L., Wiese, M.V., Crock, J.E., and Auld, D.L. 1985. Root rot of chickpeas and lentils caused by Thielaviopsis basicola. Plant Disease 69:1089-1091.