Program 4 - Largescale phenotyping and development of IDM strategies: Effective genetic and sustainable management of Ascochyta blight of Chickpea (Phase 2)

Ascochyta blight is the greatest disease threat to the Australian chickpea industry and can result in complete crop loss. Currently there are limited genetic options, and therefore, management is reliant on multiple fungicide applications. To alleviate the risk of Ascochyta blight, reduce the reliance on fungicides, and improve profitability for growers, improved genetic resistance has been a target of research in both the breeding programs and various GRDC investments. Through these investments several novel sources of resistance have been discovered which offer better resistance to chickpea Ascochyta blight than those currently available to the industry. To better utilise and ensure the longevity of these new resistance sources, Agriculture Victoria in partnership with NSWDPI, through a co-investment with GRDC will conduct field experiments in the Southern and Northern regions of Australia. Therse experiments aim to develop suitable integrated disease management strategies to manage the risk of Ascochyta blight, particularly with the new resistance sources. When these varieties with greater genetic resistance are released, this project will communicate potential strategies to mitigate disease in these varieties and how it differs from the currently moderately susceptible and susceptible varieties.