INTERACTION OF FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM F SP CICERI AND MELOIDOGYNE-JAVANICA ON CICER-ARIETINUM

Interaction of Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cice ri was studied on Fusarium wilt-susceptible (JG 62 and K 850) and resi stant (JG 74 and Avrodhi) chickpea cultivars. In greenhouse experiment s, inoculation of M. javanica juveniles prior to F. oxysporum f. sp. c iceri caused greater wilt incidence in susceptible cultivars and induc ed vascular discoloration in roots of resistant cultivars. Nematode re production was greatest (P = 0.05) at 25 degrees C. Number of galls an d percentage of root area galled increased when the temperature was in creased from 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C. Wilt incidence was greater at 20 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Chlorosis of leaves and vascular discoloration of plants did not occur at 15 degrees C. The nematode e nhanced the wilt incidence in wilt-susceptible cultivars only at 25 de grees C. Interaction between the two pathogens on shoot and root weigh ts was significant only at 20 degrees C, anf F. o. ciceri suppressed t he nematode density at this temperature. Wilt incidence was greater in clayey (48% clay) than in loamy sand (85% sand) soils. The nematode c aused greater plant damage on loamy sand than on clayey soil. Fusarium wilt resistance in Avrodhi and JG 74 was stable in the presence of M. javanica across temperatures and soil types.