Isolation and Characterization of Rhizosphere Bacteria for the Biocontrol of the Asochyta Rabiei in Iran

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), a cool season grain legume grown on a surface of 11 million ha with worldwide production of about 9 million tons [1], is cultivated in more than 45 countries throughout the world including Iran where it is grown mostly in rainfed areas and on marginal lands in the province of West Azarbayjan. Ascochyta blight is perhaps the most frequent and damaging disease of chickpea worldwide. It is caused by Ascochyta rabiei (AR), a fungus that selectively attacks chickpea. AR survives in plant debris, soil and infected seeds and it reproduces asexually, through the production of conidia in flask-shaped pycnidia, and sexually, through the production of ascospores from pseudothecia. Ascospores and conidia spread through wind and rain splashes, travelling distances up to hundreds of meters [2].