Soil pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum induced wilt disease in chickpea: a review on its dynamicity and possible control strategies

Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) is the major crop legume gaining steady focus for its enormous nutritional and medicinal properties globally. India is the crucial contributor to chickpea production in the world. Despite of its extensive significance, the yield of this crop legume is seriously curtailed by wilt causing pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris . Extensive pathogenic variability and mutability favors the pathogenesis over resistance. Although many approaches have been taken to restrain the pathogen most of them failed to meet the need. Recently, various advanced genomics and transcriptomics platforms give a wider arena in this field with a new dimension. The huge information that is generated bit-by-bit may give clues to develop future resistance strategy for Chickpea against Fusarium attack. The present review focuses on detailed symptomatic analyses of wilt disease in chickpea, the disease cycle, and genetic variability of the pathogen. Besides, different wilt management strategies that are followed are also discussed. Finally, the possibilities and utilization of different transcriptomic techniques, especially next-generation sequencing platforms are also highlighted. This review will surely portray a comprehensive idea of the disease, pathogen as well as control strategies which will be useful in future research on chickpea- Fusarium interplay.