Pathogenic variation within the 2009 Australian Ascochyta rabiei population and implications for future disease management strategy

Abstract

Twenty four Ascochyta rabiei isolates, collected from the 2009 eastern Australian chickpea growing regions, were assessed for their ability to infect 12 previously characterised chickpea genotypes. Comparison of means analysis and principal components analysis of area under the disease progress curve measures resulted in continua rather than discrete isolate groupings, suggesting that a broad diversity of pathogenicity exists in the current A. rabiei population. Breeders can now choose isolates that represent the variation found in the field to screen their germplasm, providing greater knowledge on the likely longevity of cultivars before they are commercially released. © 2011 Australasian P..