RESPONSE OF 4 CHICKPEA VARIETIES AGAINST ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT AND THEIR HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES

Artificial inoculation with a spore suspension of Ascochyta rabiei sho wed highest leaf and branch infection in Aug424 followed by Pb-l with maximum resistance in ILC191 followed by CM72. Histological studies sh owed that thickness of stem epidermis was significantly higher in ILC1 91. Thickness of stem hypodermis was also greater in ILC191 and CM72 a s compared to Pb-l and Aug424, with minimum thickness of cortical regi on in Aug 424. The fungus caused severe damage to different tissues of Aug424 and Pb-l soon after infection as compared to CM72 and ILC191.