Biochemical Analysis Based on Zinc Uptake of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties Infected by Meloidogyne incognita

The significant constraints in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production hampers a bit more than 14% global yield loss due to plant-parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) is an endoparasite and a significant species affecting the chickpea plant. So, the chemical basis of management is more cost-effective, and pest resurgence building is enhanced in the pathogen. So, ecological-based nematode management is requisite, which also is got hampered due to breeding for resistance against such plant-parasitic nematodes. This was the primary reason to conduct this experiment to enhance resistance in the chickpea plants based on Zinc uptake by using bioagent, Pseudomonas fluorescens alone or in combination. where Different treatments including nematode, bacterium, and chemicals were used sustaining the enhancement of disease resistance in chickpea cultivars, RSG 974, GG 5, GNG 2144. Zinc content of chickpea variety GNG 2144 was found the highest in treatment, when only bacterium (P. fluorescens) was inoculated, i.e., 3.14 mg/100g of root followed by GG 5, i.e., 2.79 mg/100g of root and RSG 974 was, i.e., 2.35 mg/100g of root respectively in a descending order. Application of P. fluorescence combined or alone gradually increased the Zn concentration in roots of chickpea plants compared to healthy check followed by chemical treated plants.

Distribution and identification of luteovirids affecting chickpea in Sudan

In Sudan yellowing viruses are key production constraints in pulse crops. Field surveys were carried out to identify luteovirids affecting chickpea crops in the major production regions (Gezira Scheme and River Nile State). A total of 415 chickpea plant samples with yellowing and stunting symptoms were collected during the 2013, 2015 and 2018 growing seasons. Serological results (Tissue-blot immunoassays) showed that Luteoviridae and Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV, genus Mastrevirus, family Geminiviridae) were the most common viruses, with rare infections with Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV, genus Nanovirus, family Nanoviridae). Some samples reacted only with a broad-spectrum luteovirid monoclonal antibody (5G4-MAb), and others showed cross reactions between the specific monoclonal antibodies, suggesting the occurrence of new luteovirid variants. Serological results were confirmed by amplification with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of the partial coat protein gene. Molecular analyses provided a basic, sufficient and reliable characterization for four viruses affecting chickpea that belong to Polerovirus (family Luteoviridae). These were Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), Pepper vein yellows virus (PeVYV), Pepo aphid-borne yellows virus (PABYV) and Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), that shared high similarity with the type sequences. Phylogenetic analyses also revealed high similarity to luteovirid species. This study has established reliable, rapid and sensitive molecular tools for the detection of luteovirid species.