JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
| dc.contributor.author | Yilma, Abebe | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-10-07T06:51:23Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-10-07T06:51:23Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-05 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/17413 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a legume of immense nutritional and economic significance has a unique niche in Ethiopian agriculture. However, Ethiopia's current productivity, which is about 2 tons per hectare, is incredibly low compared to its attainable yield of 5 tons per hectare. This could partially be attributed to chickpea Fusarium wilt; one of the most devastating diseases that gave rise to considerable grain yield loss. This study employed a multi-dimensional approach integrating socioeconomic assessments, epidemiological surveys, lab-based identification, pathogenicity test and pathogenic potential studies, and field-validated management trials to establish sustainable management options for chickpea Fusarium wilt in West Amhara, Ethiopia. A socio-economic survey of 246 farmers across four districts revealed a significant knowledge and disease management practice associated with socioeconomic variables. Thus, age, farming experience and farm holding size were significantly associated with disease related knowledge. A two-year epidemiological disease survey (2022–2024) across six districts demonstrated that chickpea Fusarium wilt is ubiquitous, with its intensity significantly influenced by biophysical factors. The minimum wilt incidence (8.63%) and percent severity index (8.78%) were noted from chickpea fields planted late in the season after four or more consecutive years of crop rotation practice. Conversely, the maximum wilt incidence (43.74%) and percent severity index (39.58%) were obtained from fields owning early planted chickpeas after one year of crop rotation practices. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates obtained from infected roots of chickpea were found to be pathogenic; inducing yellowing and wilting symptoms with a mean incidence percentage ranging from 7.9 to 63%. Thus, about 61% of the isolates were moderately pathogenic causing a wilt incidence of 30-50%. The rest 22.2 and 16.7% of the isolates were highly pathogenic and less pathogenic by inducing above 50% and less than 30% mean wilt incidences respectively. Integrated laboratory and greenhouse studies confirmed that while Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri is a well-established soilborne pathogen, it also possesses seed-borne nature. Thus, this study demonstrated that about 62% of the isolates sourced from infected chickpea seeds were able to induce wilt and yellowing symptoms. Delayed planting, long-term crop rotation practices and proper weed management is pivotal for effective management of chickpea Fusarium wilt. Moreover, field experiments conducted in two districts showed significant synergistic interaction among seed dressing fungicides, chickpea varieties and vermi-compost application and an impact on wilt intensity, yield, and yield components of chickpea. Thus, the Natoli variety treated with Goldazim 500SC seed dressing fungicide and supplemented with vermi-compost showed the lowest wilt incidence and severity in both study sites. However, untreated Dhera variety retained the highest mean incidence and disease severity of 26.83% and 30.67% respectively at Bahir Dar Zuria which is also consistently highest at Fogera site. The maximum grain yield recorded was 2953.8kg ha achieved by the Natoli treated with Goldazim 500SC and receiving Vermicompost application. The study also noted that the highest grain yield loss due to Fusarium wilt were 27.8% at Bahir Dar Zuria and 23.96% in Fogera district correlating with increased disease incidence and severity. Chickpea producers should focus on an integrated package consisting of the Natoli variety, Goldazim 500SC seed treatment, and vermicompost application, supplemented by use of healthy planting seed, delayed planting and extended crop rotation practices. -1 | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | Plant Pathology | en_US |
| dc.title | Integrated Management of Chickpea Fusarium Wilt: Insights from Epidemiology, Farmers Practices, and Pathogen Characterization in West Amhara, Ethiopia | en_US |
| dc.type | Dissartation | en_US |
