Study of Induced Systemic Resistance in Cicer arietinum L. due to Nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum Using a Modified Split Root Technique

Three nonpathogenic fungal isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, Fo52 from India and Fo47 and Fo47b10 from France, were evaluated for the induction of systemic resistance in host plants against a highly pathogenic strain of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri causing wilt of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Two bioassays – a modified split-root system and whole-plant method – were conducted separately, in which the pathogen and three nonpathogenic Fusarium isolates were not in direct contact. All the three nonpathogenic isolates induced systemic resistance in chickpea, which was evident from the significantly reduced wilt incidence after 30–60 days of pathogen inoculations. Isolate Fo52 which was a local isolate from India and Fo47 from France were equally effective in controlling wilt incidence and can be used as biocontrol agents against chickpea wilt.