Characterization of the environmental and biological factors driving pathogen spread in Ascochyta rabiei for improved disease control in chickpea

Commodities

• Agronomic: other

Practices

• Education and Training: extension, mentoring
• Pest Management: chemical control, field monitoring/scouting, integrated pest management, prevention, traps, weather monitoring
• Production Systems: dryland farming
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) ranks third in pulse crop production worldwide. Currently, Montana is the top producer of chickpea accounting for 35% of production in the United States. Ascochyta blight (AB) caused by the pathogen Ascochyta rabiei, is a disease of chickpea that can cause significant losses and is a threat in all production areas. The ability of A. rabiei to overwinter and produce primary inoculum results in recurring seasonal epidemics that increase in severity over multiple seasons. However, the biology of the pathogen remains poorly understood, hindering the precise timing of early fungicide applications and leaving farmers dependent on less effective and generalized disease management practices. Because of the large number of fungicide applications needed, AB is the primary limiting factor to farmers integrating chickpeas into their rotations. This research seeks to address this critical knowledge gap by investigating the conditions for initial inoculum release and how to best optimize fungicide applications. For this project, we are seeking funding to share research results with stakeholder groups through education events, publications, online resources, conference presentations, and workshops to help farmers better control AB. This project will also train a future plant pathologist in outreach and agricultural leadership. The project team consists of a graduate student, a plant pathologist, an Extension specialist, an eastern Montana farmer, and a crop consultant who will work together to complete research and outreach tasks. The project aligns with WSARE goals to promote sustainable agriculture by conducting research and outreach that will form the basis of better IPM strategies that aim to increase environmental sustainability, slow down the development of fungicide resistance, increase farmer profits through reduced input costs, and protect their personal health and safety by decreasing the number of fungicide applications required for disease control.

Research Objectives:

Objective 1: Measure how weather variables affect ascospore release and resulting disease development.

Objective 2: Assess the efficacy of fungicide application timings early spore release, late spore release, flowering, and first appearance of leaf spots.

Education Objectives:

Objective 1: Present at local farmer outreach events in northeastern Montana.

Objective 2: Present at state and regional events.

Objective 3: Produce farmer education materials on chickpea Ascochyta blight disease control based on the results from the research project.

Objective 4: Gain essential leadership skills through scientific presentations at national meetings, participating in a graduate student leadership program, and planning and implementing stakeholder education events.