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involving only a few treatments on large plots, should be done within the prevailing
rotation of the area and should involve farmers in conducting the operations.
In evaluating the results and implications, farmers' opinion should be considered.
The extension departments could be included in this research.
Seed Production and Rhizobium Inoculum
I. The simultaneous development of a seed industry is essential if the new
ascochyta blight resistant cultivars are going to be adopted by a large
number of farmers. Therefore, good quality seed needs to be produced in
adequate quantities.
2. Seed should be produced (i) in areas wb-.re the blight does not occur naturally,
or (ii) under blight-free conditions.
3. Seed should be routinely treated with fungicides like Calixin M. This is
particularly important when seed is sent to nontraditional chickpea areas.
4. Since winter chickpeas might be introduced in non-chickpea growing areas,
Rhizobium inoculum will have to be distributed along with seed. Inoculum
production and distribution sources therefore will have to be developed.
Training
ICARDA/ICRISAT should organize regular training programs in chickpea
breeding, pathology, agronomy, entomology, microbiology, etc.