Prospecting for sources of resistance to ascochyta blight in wild Cicer species

A collection of 114 Cicer accessions including 95 wild Cicer accessions fro m four different species (C. bijugum K. H. Rech., C. echinospermum P. H. Da vis, C. pinnatifidum Jaub. & Sp. and C. reticulatum Ladiz.) was screened in glasshouse trials for resistance to ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab.). Resistance was identified in accessions from all four wild Cicer species. There was variation for resistance within accessions o f C. echinospermum, C. pinnatifidum and C. reticulatum, with only C. bijugu m containing accessions in which all plants were completely resistant. Resi stant accessions from C. echinospermum and C. reticulatum may offer accessi ble sources of resistance because fully fertile hybrids with cultivated chi ckpea can be readily obtained.