Occurrence of Pea Root Rot/Wilt Complex Disease in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Incidence of pea root rot /wilt complex disease had been recorded in different agro climatic zone of pea growing areas of the Himachal Pradesh. In Zone IV, the disease had assumed severe form with incidence of 54.7% at HAREC, Kukumseri whereas, in Zone II and III, the status of the disease remained moderate with incidence of 17.7 to 35.3% at Bajaura and Palampur respectively. Two species of Fusarium viz., Fusarium solani f.sp pisi and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi were found to be associated with pea root rot/wilt complex disease in Himachal Pradesh. Both species produced distinct symptoms when inoculated on pea seedlings in test tubes containing Hoagland's solution. F. solani f. sp. pisi was solely responsible to cause root rots (necrotic and macerated root tissues) of peas with yellowing of leaves from basal leaf to upward and then, ultimately collapse of infected pea plants whereas, F. oxysporum f. sp. pisi was responsible to cause wilting of peas (without root rots) and then, ultimately collapse of infected pea plants.