Genome-Wide Association Analyses Track Genomic Regions for Resistance to in Australian Chickpea Breeding Germplasm.

Ascochyta blight (AB), caused by a necrotrophic fungus, (syn. ) has the potential to destroy the chickpea industry worldwide, due to limited sources of genetic resistance in the cultivated gene pool, high evolutionary potential of the pathogen and challenges with integrated disease management. Therefore, the deployment of stable genetic resistance in new cultivars could provide an effective disease control strategy.

Changes in Aggressiveness of the Ascochyta lentis Population in Southern Australia.

Anecdotal evidence identified a change in the reaction of the resistant lentil cv Nipper to ascochyta blight in South Australia in 2010 and subsequent seasons, leading to infection. This study investigated field reactions of lentil cultivars against Ascochyta lentis and the pathogenic variability of the A. lentis population in southern Australia on commonly grown cultivars and on parental germplasm used in the Australian lentil breeding program.

Distribution and Survival of Ascochyta Blight Pathogens in Field-Pea-Cropping Soils of Australia.

Phoma koolunga, Didymella pinodes, and P. medicaginis var. pinodella were detected in DNA extracted from soil following field pea crops across four states in the southeastern and western regions of Australia.

Comparison of cultural growth and in planta quantification of Didymella pinodes, Phoma koolunga and Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella, causal agents of ascochyta blight on field pea (Pisum sativum).

The causal agents of ascochyta blight on field pea in South Australia, Didymella pinodes, Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella and Phoma koolunga, are isolated from a single plant within a crop, suggesting competition for space and nutrients. Interactions among these pathogens were investigated.