Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part C (2025)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop globally, valued for its high protein content and contribution to sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation. Despite its adaptability to semi-arid conditions, chickpea production is severely affected by dry root rot (DRR), caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola. The pathogen survives in soil through micro-sclerotia and proliferates under hot and dry environmental conditions, making management challenging. In this study, infected chickpea plant samples were collected from various growing regions, and R. bataticola was isolated and identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics. Pathogenicity was confirmed on a susceptible chickpea variety under controlled conditions. The comparative efficacy of ten chemical fungicides was evaluated using the poison food technique at different concentrations. Among the tested fungicides, Carbendazim 50% WP exhibited the highest inhibition of mycelial growth (92.45%), followed by Tebuconazole 25.9% EC (89.30%) and Hexaconazole 5% SC (86.70%) at their recommended doses. In contrast, Mancozeb 75% WP showed the least inhibition (55.25%). The study highlights the potential of specific fungicides in managing DRR effectively and provides a foundation for integrated disease management strategies in chickpea. Future research will aim at combining chemical, biological, and resistant cultivar-based approaches to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly management practices against dry root rot.