Ascochyta Blight, a serious, fungal disease of pulse crops, has been detected on a chickpea sample from Teton county, submitted to the Schutter Diagnostic Lab at the Montana State University College of Agriculture. The MSU Extension Service has issued an AgAlert paper that discusses symptoms, disease development and management strategies for chickpeas. (The disease has not yet been found on peas and lentils).

Quick Summary for Busy People

  • Ascochyta blight can infect susceptible crops repeatedly throughout a season and at any stage during plant development.
  • Scout for gray to tan-brown lesions with brown to black halos, concentric rings, and brown to black dots in the lesion center.
  • Preventive applications of contact fungicides (chlorothalonil) before canopy closure/flowering are recommended. After canopy closure, applications of Triazole and Carboxamide systemic fungicides are required.
  • Strobilurin fungicides are not recommended for Ascochyta management due to resistance development. Rotate between fungicide modes of actions to prevent further resistance development.

Read the full AgAlert HERE.

 

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