Genetic Insights into Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Chickpea: Mechanisms and Sustainable Breeding Strategies

Abstract

“Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the agent responsible for Fusarium wilt, poses a serious risk to the global production of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.). There are different races of this soil-borne pathogen, and each one has a different amount of virulence, which makes crop resilience difficult. Early yellowing and late wilting are two indicators of chickpea wilt that cause significant output losses. Complex genetic interactions are involved in chickpea resistance to Fusarium wilt. Resistance against particular pathogen races is conferred by a number of resistance genes, including h1, h2, and h3. Breeding procedures include both cutting-edge genomic techniques like marker-assisted selection (MAS) and traditional techniques like hybridization and backcrossing. By facilitating the accurate identification and stacking of resistance genes, MAS speeds up breeding. To treat this illness, it is essential to comprehend the genetic diversity of Fusarium wilt races, figure out the genetic basis of resistance, and use efficient breeding techniques. The goal of developing resilient chickpea varieties through the integration of genomic techniques and traditional breeding is to provide sustainable crop production in the face of changing disease problems”.