Synergistic effect of seed dressing fungicides, vermicompost application and varieties on Fusarium wilt intensity, yield, and yield components of chickpea ( <i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.)

Abstract Background: Chickpea Fusarium wilt is the foremost devastating fungal disease that leads to massive grain yield loss in chickpea. Field experiments were therefore carried out to appraise the synergistic effect of seed dressing fungicides, vermicompost and chickpea varieties on Fusarium wilt intensity, and yield of chickpea. Methods: Treatment combinations were arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design. Results: The finding revealed that the interaction among seed dressing fungicides, chickpea varieties and vermicompost application had a significant impact on wilt intensity, yield, and related yield attributes of chickpea. Thus, the Natoli variety when treated with Goldazim 500SC seed dressing fungicide and supplemented with vermicompost showed the lowest wilt incidences (0.35%) and percent severity index (PSI) (0.6%) at Fogera site. Conversely, untreated Dehra variety retained the highest mean incidence and PSI of 27.26% and 31.07%, respectively at Bahir Dar Zuria. The maximum grain yield recorded was 2953.8 kg ha −1 achieved by the Natoli treated with Goldazim 500SC and receiving vermicompost application. The study also noted that the highest grain yield loss due to Fusarium wilt were 27.8% at Bahir Dar Zuria and 23.96% in Fogera district correlating with increased disease incidence and severity. The correlation analysis between disease intensity parameters and yield components in chickpeas demonstrated significant negative relationships, indicating that the increased Fusarium wilt intensity adversely affected yield and yield contributing components. Conclusion: The integrated application of seed dressing fungicides and vermicompost, in moderately resistant varieties like Natoli, offers a promising strategy for minimizing the adverse impact of Fusarium wilt and maximizing chickpea productivity.