Roving Survey of Collar Rot Disease of Chickpea Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. in Rajasthan, India

Chickpea is one of the most cultivated legume crops and a rich source of protein in many countries. It is an important pulse crop of the semi-arid tropics and the warm temperate zones, ranking first in India. The survey conducted in the major chickpea-growing regions of Rajasthan during the Rabi season of 2021-22 emphasized that collar rot is a significant issue caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. The study covered areas in Jaipur, Tonk, Kota, Bundi, Swaimadhopur and Alwar regions. To assess disease incidence, researchers randomly selected 25 square meter areas at four spots in each field, totaling 100 square meters per field. In each village, fields were chosen, and plants displaying typical collar rot symptoms were collected for further analysis. Upon examination, an average disease incidence of 23.69 per cent was recorded across the surveyed districts. The higher disease frequency of (33.08%) was assessed in Kota while least in Alwar location (15.04%). To further understand the pathogen responsible for collar rot, samples were collected and brought to the laboratory for isolation. This comprehensive survey provides valuable insights into the prevalence of collar rot in chickpea crops across different regions of Rajasthan, aiding in the development of effective management strategies.