Diseases of Chickpea

Chickpeas are one of the most economically important legumes and a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Chickpea is grown mainly in the tropics, in arid and semiarid countries in Asia and Africa, but it is also present in Europe, Oceania, North America, and Latin America. The varieties available for cultivation vary in productivity according to edaphoclimatic conditions and the incidence of diseases. The incidence and severity of diseases in chickpeas vary in relation to the planting time, cultivated variety, and the causal agent. Among the main diseases with major economic importance causing losses in productivity are those caused by soil-borne fungal and nematode pathogens, and diseases of the aerial plant portion caused by viruses and fungi. Integrated management and preventive measures such as pathogen identification, field selection, seed quality, use of fungicides, and crop rotation are effective practices for managing chickpea diseases. This chapter will address the main characteristics of the economically important diseases affecting chickpeas in several prominent and expanding production countries.