Bengal gram, also known as chickpea or chana, is one of the most important pulse crops grown in India. It is valued for its high protein content and its ability to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. However, like many legume crops, Bengal gram is prone to several fungal diseases that can seriously affect yield and grain quality. Understanding the common fungal problems and their management is essential for every farmer aiming for a healthy and profitable crop.
1. Common Fungal Diseases in Bengal Gram
There are several types of fungal infections that attack Bengal gram during different growth stages. The most common and damaging ones include:
Wilt (Fusarium wilt):
This is one of the most serious diseases of Bengal gram. It causes plants to turn yellow, wilt, and eventually die. The disease often appears in patches. When you split open the stem, you can see a brown discoloration inside. The fungus survives in soil for many years and spreads through infected crop residues and irrigation water.
Dry Root Rot:
This disease is caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola and appears mainly when the soil is dry and temperatures are high. The lower stem becomes dry, cracked, and hollow. Plants suddenly wilt, and roots look black and rotten.
Ascochyta Blight:
This disease appears as brown spots with dark margins on leaves, stems, and pods. In severe cases, it causes the drying of entire branches and reduces pod formation. Cool and humid weather favors its spread.
Grey Mold (Botrytis):
Common in areas with heavy dew or prolonged wet conditions, grey mold appears as a greyish fungal growth on flowers, stems, and pods. It causes flower drop and shriveled seeds.
2. Preventive Measures
Prevention is always better and cheaper than trying to control the disease after it spreads. Farmers can take the following steps to reduce fungal problems:
Use Disease-Free Seeds:
Always select clean, healthy, and certified seeds. Avoid using seeds saved from infected fields.
Seed Treatment:
Treat seeds with fungicides before sowing. Use carbendazim (2 g/kg) or thiram (3 g/kg) or a combination of both. This protects seedlings from soil-borne fungi during germination.
Crop Rotation:
Do not grow Bengal gram repeatedly on the same field. Rotate with non-host crops like cereals or oilseeds for at least 2–3 years to break the life cycle of the fungi.
Resistant Varieties:
Use wilt-resistant varieties recommended for your area. Agricultural research centers often release improved varieties that perform well under local conditions.
3. Management in the Field
Soil and Field Sanitation:
Remove and burn infected plants to stop the spread. Deep plough the field during summer to expose fungal spores to sunlight.
Balanced Fertilization:
Avoid overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. Apply balanced doses of phosphorus and potash along with organic manure to strengthen plant resistance.
Irrigation Control:
Avoid overwatering or waterlogging, as excess moisture encourages fungal growth. Provide irrigation only when necessary.
Fungicide Sprays:
For diseases like Ascochyta blight or grey mold, spray mancozeb (0.25%) or chlorothalonil (0.2%) as soon as symptoms appear. Repeat after 10–15 days if needed.
4. Conclusion
Fungal diseases in Bengal gram can cause major yield losses if not managed early. A combination of good cultural practices, seed treatment, proper crop rotation, and timely fungicide application is the best way to protect the crop. Regular field inspection helps detect early signs of infection. With these simple and timely steps, farmers can control fungal problems effectively and ensure a healthy Bengal gram harvest with higher productivity and profit.
