Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, root rots, rust, Botrytis gray mold, and viral diseases. From these, Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt are the most important and devastating diseases worldwide, whereas the others are important on a more regional level. In addition, numerous pest species have been associated with chickpea, including more than 46 species of nematode.
Ascochyta blight is caused by the fungus Ascochyta rabiei Pass. (Labr.). A shift to winter sowing in Mediterranean regions has increased the occurrence of this disease. This fungus attack is extremely destructive, causing yield losses up to 100%.