Evaluation of improved chickpea varieties for resistance to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) under field condition in sick plot

Chickpea Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp ciceris is a devastating disease of chickpea in Ethiopia. This study was done to evaluate the resistance of the improved chickpea varieties to fusarium wilt disease. About nine kabuli and ten desi types including one JG-62 differential were evaluated in RCBD Design with three replications in Debre Zeit sick plot in 2017. Results of the study showed that there are significant differences in reaction to fusarium wilt disease in both main and off-seasons. In main season, four kabuli chickpea varieties were susceptible and five were moderately resistant to wilt/root rot. The highest incidence (99.06%) was found in JG-62 differential followed by variety Yelbe (70.54%). In compression, three varieties were moderately resistant in off-season. Some of the promising varieties had lowest incidence of 13.92% followed by 16.39%. Fusarium wilt incidence was higher in main season than off-season. This is due to soil temperature and soil moisture is the indicator of variation in response to the same varieties. The majority of the varieties were specific adaptation and race specific resistance that break their source of resistance. Therefore, high genotypes released through phenotyping in pipeline at different fusarium wilt affected areas will be advisable. The reaction of variety or genotypes versus race using differential line under sick plot will be recommendable for non-races specific resistance source.  Key words: Chickpea, Fusarium wilt, incidence, phenotyping, races.