Assessment of chickpea seed borne disease with special reference to Ascochyta blight (Didymella rabiei) in Central Ethiopia

Ascochyta blight caused by (teleomorph: Didymella rabiei (Kov.) is one of the most important seed borne pathogen of chickpea. The study was carried to determine the extent of seed borne infection. Agar plate techniques as ISTA standard method were applied. A total of one hundreds chickpea seed samples were collected from Debre Zeit, Gondar Agricultural Research Center, Farmers’ seed and open market/union in 2015. Purposive sampling was used in areas affected by ascochyta blight. Hundred seeds were randomly taken from each sample. Seeds were surface disinfected in 0.5% (NaOCl) and rinsed three times in distilled water and seeds were transferred to chickpea meal extracts. Seed was scored and determine from fungal growth. The result indicates that the highest (18%) seed infection was recorded on one seed samples from research center, followed by (15%) and (14%) infection were recorded on seed samples from open market/union and farmers’ seed and lowest (2%) infection of seed samples were recorded both on research centers and farmers seed. The seed harvested from all infected seed source contribute primary inoculums and long distance dissemination of spores. Seed health and free from seed borne diseases constantly desired to with reduction of seed borne inoculums through various seed treatments. In order to increase the production of chickpea qualitatively and quantitatively, farmers require healthy and quality seed with high germination and purity. Pathogen free healthy seeds are essential for desired plant populations and a good harvest.