EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED INOCULATION OF MELOIDOGYNE-JAVANICA, RHIZOCTONIA-SOLANI, AND FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM F SP CICERI ON CHICKPEA

The effects of Meloidogyne javanica, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, both singly and in various combinations, on c hickpea (Cicer arietinum) were studied. Singly, F. oxysporum f. sp. ci ceri was the most aggressive pathogen. In concomitant inoculations, re duction in growth parameter was greater than the sum total of reductio ns caused by the pathogens alone. All three pathogens adversely affect ed nodulation singly as well as in concomitant inoculations, and reduc tion in nodulation followed a similar trend as plant growth. Rate of n ematode multiplication and galling was significantly reduced in the pr esence of fungus.