Germplasm Evaluation in Chickpea for Resistance to Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea) is the second most widely cultivated food legume crop after common bean worldwide. Chickpea is an important source of dietary protein for human beings. It also helps in improvement of soil fertility by adding atmospheric N₂ (ca. 60 kg/ha) through biological nitrogen fixation. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the important biotic factors, which affects the crop production and productivity worldwide. PPNs cause severe yield losses estimated to the tune of US$100-173 billion worldwide. PPNs not only feed on host plants, but also responsible for inducing wounds that enables entry of secondary soilborne pathogens. PPNs species causing significant economic damage in chickpea include root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), cyst nematode (Heterodera ciceri), root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei), and reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis). Identification and utilization of inherent resistance in host plants along with the agronomic management practices is considered as the best effective approach to control PPNs infection in crop fields. Here, we discuss the methodology for evaluation of resistance to various important plant parasitic nematodes infecting chickpea.