MORPHO-GENETIC VARIATION AND LOSSES ASSESSMENT OF FUSARIUM WILT DISEASE OF GRAM PREVAILING IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGION OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major source of human and animal food and the world’s third most important pulse crop after beans and peas. Chickpea is rich source of protein like meat. In Pakistan, it is one of the most cultivated crops in Thal areas. Fusarium spp. cause gram wilt disease which has adverse effect on crop production and livelihood of these areas. Current study was carried out for isolation, purification of Fusarium spp. involved in gram wilt disease and molecular characterization of nine most virulent Fusarium spp. from five districts (Layyah, Bhakkar, Khushab, Jhang & Mianwali) in Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The survey results showed that the highest disease severity of 100% in districts Layyah abd Bhakkar compared to 75% observed in Jhang and Mianwali. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. oxysporum, G. moniliformis and F. solani are most dominant strain present in five districts of Thal region and are causing gram wilt.