ROOT ANATOMICAL PARAMETERS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF FUSARIUM WILT RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE LINES OF CHICKPEA

Abstract

Six known Fusarium wilt resistant and six susceptible lines of chickpea were taken for the study of root morphological and vascular anatomical features of fifteen days old seedlings grown in plastic pot without inoculation. Resistant lines had comparatively fewer numbers of lateral roots as compared to susceptible lines. Microscopic observation transverse section of tap root has shown some correlation between resistant traits and vascular anatomy. Resistant lines showed a tendency of higher protoxylem and metaxylem number and total xylem vessels cross-section area. However, some chickpea lines possessing less number of protoxylem and metaxylem showed susceptible response. The root anatomical parameters could differentiate the Fusarium wilt resistant and susceptible lines of chickpea with the help of scattered plot diagram.