Chickpea Phytophthora root rot – 2015 varietal rankings and yield losses

To evaluate a range of varieties and advanced PBA breeding lines.Phytophthora medicaginis, the cause of phytophthora root rot (PRR) of chickpea is endemic and widespread in southern QLD and northern NSW, where it carries over from season to season on infected chickpea volunteers, lucerne, native medics and as resistant structures (oospores) in the soil. Although registered for use on chickpeas, metalaxyl seed treatment is expensive, does not provide season-long protection and is not recommended. There are no in-crop control measures for PRR and reducing losses from the disease are based on avoiding risky paddocks and choosing the right variety.Detailed information on control of PRR in chickpea is available at:http://www.pulseaus.com.au/growing-pulses/bmp/chickpea/phytophthora-root-rotCurrent commercial varieties differ in their resistance to P. medicaginis (Pm), with Yorker and PBA HatTrick having the best resistance and are rated MR (historically Yorker has been slightly better than PBA HatTrick), while Jimbour is MS - MR, Flipper and Kyabra are MS and PBA Boundary has the lowest resistance (S).From 2007 to 2015 PRR yield loss trials at the DAF Qld Hermitage research Facility, Warwick QLD have evaluated a range of varieties and advanced PBA breeding lines.