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Abstract Weed control in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is challenging due to narrow genetic base of available germplasm and limited herbicide options. In this view, present research was focused on induced mutagenesis in chickpea for development of herbicide (glyphosate) tolerant mutants and subsequent screening under field conditions. Further, objective was to analyze the defence response and biochemical adjustments in selected glyphosate tolerant chickpea mutants. Initially, 376 chickpea mutants (M6 populations developed through EMS and gamma rays) were screened for glyphosate tolerance under filed conditions and scored on a 1 to 5 scale based on plant injury related traits. Among tested mutants, 40 were found highly tolerant (score = 5), 32 as tolerant (score = 4) and 20 as highly sensitive (score = 1) to glyphosate. Chickpea mutants with variable glyphosate tolerance also differed significantly (Tukey test, p

Abstract Genetic architecture of yield and yield contributing characters of five crosses in chickpea were performed by generation mean analysis. Non-significant χ2 values were noted for plant weight at harvest (PWH), number of pods per plant (NPd/P) and number of seeds per plant (NS/P) in cross-2; for number of secondary branches at first flower (NSBFF) and number of secondary branches at maximum flower (NSBMF) in cross-3 and for number of primary branches at maximum flower (NPBMF) in cross-4. Among these, PWH in cross-2; NSBFF and NSBMF in cross-3 and NPBMF in cross-4 were also non-significant regarding C and D scales. Non-significant scale coupled with non-significant χ2 values indicated only additive-dominance relationship for those characters and crosses that would likely be helpful in doing successful breeding plan easily for the development of potential lines in chickpea. Gene effects viz., additive [d], dominance [h], additive × additive [i] and dominance × dominance [l] were significant for different crosses and characters indicating involvement of additive, dominance, additive × additive and dominance × dominance gene interactions in the control of these traits. Most of the studied characters exhibited duplicate type of epistasis therefore, recurrent selection for these traits is suggested. Effective factor (K1) was less than one for all the characters and crosses indicating minimum one group of gene controlled the characters. Both broad (h2 b) and narrow (h2 n) sense heritability in majority cases were found to be high which indicates that selection for high heritability showing traits is likely to be effective. Mid-parent (MP) and better-parent (BP) heterosis found to be non-significant in maximum cases. All the characters and crosses showed non-significant inbreeding depression (ID) indicating a good sign for further genetic work.

Water deficit stress is one of the key determinants causing crop yield losses globally. The present study was conducted to effectively screen Desi chickpea genotypes based on early dehydration tolerance-related traits as a tool for further evaluation in field experiments. Sixty-four genotypes of Desi chickpea were assessed under progressive water deficit stress, resulting in high variability in early growth characteristics and traits. The clustering analysis with UPGMA, separated the genotypes into three major groups, in accordance with biplot analysis grouping. The highest root length density was observed in the MCC438 genotype with an 18.6-fold increase compared to MCC884 which showed the lowest root length density among all analyzed chickpea genotypes. The genotypes MCC32 and MCC539 produced the higher shoot and root dry weight, while MCC884 showed the lowest value (with 12- and 32.5-fold differences, respectively). Ten genotypes showed differences in terms of their overall response to the water deficiency stress, including eight tolerant genotypes (MCC320, MCC418, MCC425, MCC438, MCC539, MCC540, MCC560, MCC576) and two susceptible ones (MCC433 and MCC897), were selected for further investigation of various growth and physio-biochemical traits based on drought response indices. A clear distinction was observed among ten analyzed genotypes for some physio-biochemical traits, indicating their tolerant responses to drought stress. Drought-tolerant candidate genotypes showed higher indices of seedling growth parameters, proline content, RWC, membrane stability, and root-to-shoot ratio in comparison to drought-susceptible candidate genotypes. The genotypes MCC425, MCC438, MCC418, and MCC539 were found more drought tolerant in the seedling stages, whereas genotype MCC433 was more sensitive. These results were consistent with what was obtained in our preliminary study. However, these results should be addressed further in the field conditions.

به‌منظور بررسی اثر تاریخ کاشت و رژیم‌های آبیاری بر عملکرد و اجزاء عملکرد نخود (Cicer arietinum L.)، آزمایشی به‌صورت کرت خردشده در قالب طرح بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی در سال زراعی 1401-1400 در مزرعه تحقیقاتی دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه شاهد انجام شد. عامل اصلی، رژیم‌های آبیاری در سه سطح: 1) رژیم آبیاری تکمیلی (آبیاری در دو زمان کاشت و قبل از گلدهی بر اساس 20 درصد تخلیه آب قابل‌استفاده خاک)، 2) آبیاری کامل یا شاهد (آبیاری بر اساس 20 درصد تخلیه آب قابل‌استفاده خاک)، 3) کم‌آبیاری (آبیاری بر اساس 40 درصد تخلیه آب قابل‌استفاده خاک) و عامل فرعی تاریخ کاشت پاییزه (15 آبان) و بهاره (15 اسفند)، بود. نتایج نشان داد اثر متقابل رژیم آبیاری و تاریخ کاشت بر تعداد شاخه در بوته، تعداد نیام در بوته، ارتفاع بوته، تعداد دانه در بوته، شاخص برداشت، عملکرد بیولوژیک و عملکرد دانه معنی‌دار بود. کشت پاییزه و آبیاری کامل، بیشترین تعداد شاخه در بوته (9.83) عدد، تعداد نیام در بوته (30.5) عدد، ارتفاع بوته (51.08) سانتی‌متر، تعداد دانه در بوته (26.66) عدد، شاخص برداشت (0.48) درصد، عملکرد بیولوژیک (4670) کیلوگرم در هکتار و عملکرد دانه (2384.17) کیلوگرم در هکتار را نشان داد. عملکرد دانه مربوط به کشت پاییزه و رژیم آبیاری تکمیلی تفاوت آماری معنی‌داری با کشت بهاره و رژیم کم‌آبیاری نشان نداد. رژیم کم‌آبیاری نسبت به رژیم آبیاری تکمیلی در کلیه صفات بعد از رژیم آبیاری شاهد بیشترین کارایی را در کشت پاییزه نشان داد. چنین نتیجه‌گیری می‌شود که رژیم کم‌آبیاری به‌عنوان یک رژیم کم‌آبیاری مناسب برای شرایط منطقه مورد آزمایش برای کاشت نخود در پاییز پیشنهاد می‌شود. توصیه می‌شود سایر تاریخ‌های کاشت پاییزه این رقم در شرایط کم‌آبیاری موردمطالعه قرار گیرد.

In organic farming, the use of plant growth biostimulants in crop cultivation technologies, including chickpea, has become widespread. The purpose of this study: to investigate the manifestation of productivity elements and the yield of chickpea varieties depending on the treatment with an organic growth stimulator. The study employed the following methods: field – to determine the level of yield, laboratory – to investigate the elements of productivity of chickpea, and statistical – to assess the reliability of experimental studies. By treatment options, the complex application of the product during presowing seed treatment and foliar feeding of plants during the growing season was distinguished. The effect of organic growth stimulant on the increase of productivity elements of chickpea in this variant of the experiment was noted by an average of 10.0%. The greatest effect of the preparation was found in the complex treatment of seeds and plants of common chickpea in terms of seed weight per plant (24.0%). They were identified by the influence of varietal properties on the productivity elements of common chickpea varieties Triumf and Pamiat. The Pamiat variety with the seed treatment + foliar dressing variant was the best in terms of chickpea yield, but the Triumf variety had the greatest effect of the growth stimulator on the yield increase. Close correlations were found between seed weight per plant and thousand-kernel weight, number of beans per plant and number of seeds per plant, and yield with plant productivity and thousand-kernel weight. The findings of the study are recommended to be used to adjust the elements of chickpea cultivation technology to increase productivity in production conditions

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) are an important legume crop known for their rich nutrient content, including proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Thus, they are enjoyed by people worldwide. In recent years, the production scale of chickpeas has been growing gradually. The planting area of chickpeas represents roughly 35–36% of the total planting area, and the output of the beans is roughly 47–48%. However, the growth and development process of chickpeas is limited by a number of factors, including high temperature, drought, salt stress, and so forth. In particular, high temperatures can reduce the germination rate, photosynthesis, seed setting rate, and filling rate of chickpeas, restricting seed germination, plant growth, and reproductive growth. These changes lead to a decrease in the yield and quality of the crop. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are small proteins that play an important role in plant defense against abiotic stress. Therefore, in the present study, HSP20 gene family members were identified based on the whole-genome data of chickpeas, and their chromosomal positions, evolutionary relationships, promoter cis-acting elements, and tissue-specific expression patterns were predicted. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect and analyze the expression characteristics of HSP20 genes under different temperature stress conditions. Ultimately, we identified twenty-one HSP20 genes distributed on seven chromosomes, and their gene family members were found to be relatively conserved, belonging to ten subfamilies. We also found that CaHSP20 promoter regions have many cis-acting elements related to growth and development, hormones, and stress responses. In addition, under high-temperature stress, the relative expression of CaHSP20-17, CaHSP20-20, CaHSP20-7, CaHSP20-3, and CaHSP20-12 increased hundreds or even thousands of times as the temperature increased from 25 °C to 42 °C. Among them, excluding CaHSP20-5, the other five genes all contain 1-2 ABA cis-regulatory elements. This finding indicates that CaHSP20s are involved in the growth and development of chickpeas under heat stress, and the mechanisms of their responses to high-temperature stress may be related to hormone regulation. The results of the present study lay the foundation for exploring HSP20 gene family resources and the molecular mechanisms of heat resistance in chickpeas. Our results can also provide a theoretical basis for breeding high-temperature-resistant chickpea varieties and provide valuable information for the sustainable development of the global chickpea industry.

ABSTRACT Ascochyta blight is the most devastating worldwide disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). It is caused by Ascochyta rabiei (teleomorph: Didymella rabiei) an airborne pathogenic fungus which is common in rainy climates and warm temperatures. Despite the efforts deployed by genetic improvement to develop highly resistant varieties, a total resistance to Ascochyta blight is lacking in chickpea. From 2015 to 2019 season, a study was carried out to develop highly resistant lines at the experimental station of the National Agronomical Institute of Tunis (INAT). In this genetic program, four crosses were realized: Nour x ILC154986, Nour x ILC154445, Béja1x ILC155064, and Béja1x ILC154449. Nour and Béja1 varieties were respectively tolerant and susceptible to Ascochyta blight and were used as female parents. The genetic study showed a total of six genes controlling the resistance to Ascochyta blight. The disease progress was analyzed under inoculation in the field on seven dates, and the plant infection rate r was recorded on the parental cultivars and the lines developed from crosses. The temporal progress of the disease was studied by using statistical and mathematical tools. A logistic model was tested and then applied to describe the Ascochyta rabiei progress over time in the field. The fitting adequacy of the logistic model was estimated by the determination coefficient R2 which value exceeded 0.98 and justified this selection. The logistic curves analysis showed a slow blighting and an infection progress decrease of lines issued from Béja1 x desi1 and Nour x Kabuli1 crosses. These lines obtained by transgressive segregation in the Nour x Kabuli1 and Beja1 x Desi2 populations can develop a stable resistance and prevent its overcoming.

Abstract Biofertilizers can be better alternatives to chemical fertilizers to enhance plant nutrition and productivity as they improve the soil fertility and crop productivity in an eco‐friendly and cost‐effective manner. A pot experiment was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 in southern Ethiopia to evaluate the combined inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Meso‐rhizobium (MR) on biomass yield, nutrient uptake, and moisture stress tolerance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (variety: Habru). The experiment was executed as a factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were control (non‐fertilized), sole AM fungi inoculation, AM fungi inoculation with phosphorus fertilizer (20 kg P ha−1) and MR, and sole inorganic fertilizers (20 kg P;10 kg N ha−1) at four different moisture levels (optimum throughout the growing season, stressed at vegetative, flowering, and seed filling stages). The results demonstrated that biomass yields were limited by moisture stress, especially at vegetative and flowering stages of chickpea. Sole and co‐application of AMF with MR and inorganic P increased biomass yields on average by 19%, 39%, and 33% under water stress conditions, respectively, compared to the non‐inoculated control. The application of AMF with MR and inorganic P also significantly increased nodulation, AMF colonization, and nutrient uptake, but these effects were dependent on soil moisture status. In conclusion, there are potential advantages to be gained from sole and combined AMF application with rhizobium to improve growth and productivity of chickpea through enhanced nutrient and water uptake, though the results of this pot experiment should be validated through field trials.

Enhancing plants’ resistance against FW is crucial for ensuring a sustainable global chickpea production. The present study focuses on the identification of fungal pathogens and the assessment of ninety-six chickpea samples for Fusarium wilt from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)’s collection. Eight fungal isolates were recovered from the symptomatic chickpeas. Polyphasic identification was conducted by comparing the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), and beta-tubulin (tub2). Among them, Neocosmospora solani, N. nelsonii, N. falciformis, N. brevis, Fusarium brachygibbosum, and F. gossypinum were identified. An analysis of the genetic diversity of chickpeas, using 69 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, revealed a total of 191 alleles across all markers, with, on average, each SSR marker detecting approximately 2.8 alleles. A STRUCTURE analysis delineated lines into two distinct sub-groups (K = 2). Association mapping, using the generalized linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) approaches, identified six and five marker–trait associations (MTAs) for FW resistance, respectively. Notably, these TA42, TA125 (A) and TA125 (B), TA37, and TAASH MTAs, commonly found in both models, emerge as potential candidates for the targeted enhancement of FW resistance in chickpeas. To our knowledge, this study represents an inaugural report on the association mapping of genomic loci governing FW resistance in chickpeas from the ICARDA’s accessions.

ABSTRACT Chickpea has recently gained prominence in agriculture, being an excellent option for crop rotation in areas cultivated with soybean or corn. Seeds must have good physiological quality, mainly during storage, to ensure crop success. Seeds undergo metabolic reactions that impair their performance when stored improperly. In this context, a study was carried out to evaluate the physiological variables of the chickpea cultivar BRS Aleppo in different types of packaging and storage environments. The analyses were performed with seeds evaluating water content, germination, first count, and accelerated aging, according to established standards. Therefore, the physiological quality of chickpea seeds can be preserved through controlled storage in hermetic packaging, thus ensuring their viability and vigor over time.

Chickpeas are a highly versatile functional food legume that possesses the capacity to boost human health and has the potential to alleviate malnutrition-related deficiencies. To investigate whole seed-based nutritional and anti-nutritional composition, a set of 90 chickpea genotypes (66 desi and 24 kabuli) was collected from different research organizations in Pakistan. Significant variation (Tukey HSD test, p

IntroductionChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important crops in the human food basket worldwide. It is a highly nutritious pulse crop with low digestible carbohydrates, protein, essential fats, fiber, and a range of minerals and vitamins. As the human population grows, the demand for this protein source increases and various approaches to its sustainable products are being developed. Autumn cultivation of chickpea in cold regions requires the introduction of cultivars tolerant to freezing stress. The ability of plants to overwinter depends on the biochemical and physiological responses induced by their cold acclimation duration. Cold acclimation mechanisms in the plant are a fundamental reason for plant tolerance increase in autumn cultivation. Hence, investigating the mentioned traits can help identify cold-tolerant genotypes. Identifying attributes that provide a suitable description of the diversity between genotypes is critical through canonical correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and determining the genetic distance.Materials and MethodsThis experiment was conducted during the 2017-18 growing season in the research field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran (Lat 36° 15′ N, Long 59° 28 E; 985 m Altitude). Chickpea germplasm, including 29 Desi-type chickpea genotypes and one cold tolerant cultivar (cv. Saral), was studied in terms of morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes and their relationship with yield and yield components. Chickpea seeds were provided from the Mashhad chickpea collection at the Research Center for Plant Science. Following seedbed preparation by ridge tillage in October 2017, chickpea seeds were sown with a density of 40 plant m-2. Irrigation was conducted three times during the growth period: immediately after sowing, two weeks after the first irrigation and flowering stage. Hand-weeding was done three times during the growth stage in early March, early April, and early May. Data were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 software, and the mean comparison was performed by the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% probability level. Statistica software also performed a cluster analysis (based on Euclidean distance) and principal component analysis (PCA).Results and DiscussionEvaluating the morpho-physiological performance of chickpea genotypes is valuable for breeding programs that integrate chickpea cold tolerance. Based on Pearson's correlation coefficient results, a significant positive correlation was observed between the survival of chickpea germplasm with seed yield and biological yield. Also, a significant negative correlation between survival with photosynthesis pigment content and Fv'/Fm' revealed a high relationship between these parameters. Traits with the highest canonical discriminate coefficients had the best effect on the diversity across the studied genotypes. Based on the factor analysis results, the first factor with 22.8%, and the second with 12.1% explained the most differences. In the first factor, the most critical traits with a positive charge are Fv'/Fm', the total content of photosynthetic pigments, starch, the number of fertile pods, and the number of seeds, and the critical trait with a negative charge was the survival. The genotypes of the five cluster analysis groups had a higher mean in 54% of the traits compared to the total mean. The crossing of genotypes of group one due to higher survival and seed yield and genotypes of group five due to plant height and first pod height (compared to the total mean), which also have a considerable genetic distance, can lead to the release of new varieties. Also, the genotypes of the three cluster analysis groups (MCC32, MCC34, MCC155, MCC194, MCC199, and MCC291) have high-priority traits for selection by breeders and can be used in breeding programs for autumn cultivation.ConclusionAccording to the results of the present study, selection for successful overwintering of desi-type chickpea genotypes in cold regions is recommended based on the mentioned characteristics in breeding programs. The group three chickpea genotypes of cluster analysis (MCC32, MCC34, MCC155, MCC194, MCC199, and MCC291) and morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes affecting the yield and yield components determined from this study may be helpful for genetic engineering and breeding programs that integrate chickpea cold tolerance..

IntroductionChickpea is an important source of energy and protein of the Iranian people’s diet. Iran is one of the main centers of genetic diversity of this crop. The cultivation of chickpea nowadays is practiced using irrigation or supplemented irrigation in many parts of Iran, as more challenging by climate change, precipitation decline, and salinization of underground water resources. On the other side, there is no enough fresh water to meet the full water requirement of chickpea. Although chickpea consider as a salt sensitive crop but there are some reports that show some variable reaction to salinity amongst different chickpea genotypes. A collection of cold and drought stress tolerant chickpea genotypes are maintained in Mashhad Chickpea Collection (MCC) in the Plant Science Research Center of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Therefore, testing the tolerance of different genotypes and landraces of this crop to salinity stress is of important, and this experiment is arranged to test salinity tolerance of chickpea genotypes in this collection. Materials and MethodsIn order to identify and assess of chickpea genotypes salinity tolerant, seeds of 206 Mashhad Chickpea Collection genotypes were kindly prepared by Plant Science Research Center of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM). The experiment was carried out in the research green house of Faculty of Agriculture of FUM at the spring of 2021 which light was normal, and temperature and humidity were controlled. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications and each treatment consist of 10 plants for each genotype. Seeds were sown in the shallow trays in the lab at 25 degrees centigrade and emerged seedling were transplanted in the sand culture medium. Saline water prepared by adding NaCl to tap water till its EC reached to 12 dS.m-1. Salinity imposed after a week of transplanting through the Hoagland nutrient solution and continued for four weeks. Nutrient solution was renewed each week and 12 dS.m-1 NaCl dissolved in that solution. Measured traits included the height difference at the beginning of the imposing of salt stress and for weeks later, number of branch per plant, survival percentage, and biomass accumulation. Sodium and potassium content of shoots. Data were analyzed using Minitab for windows 17 and standard error and cluster analysis arranged using JMP4 software. Results and Discussion The results showed that 31 genotypes have a survival rate of 76-100% which 10 genotypes showed survival rate of 100%. Plant height, biomass, and number of lateral branches per plant decreased as survival rate decreased. Significant increase in shoot Na+ concentration was only found in survival range of 0-25% while the shoot sodium content was the lowest in in group of 57-100% survival compared to the other three groups. Biomass accumulation also reduced more rapidly in low survival group (0-25%) compare with 76-100% survival group by 66%. The correlation analysis showed that survival rate, plant height and number of lateral branches per plant, biomass, plant height difference and shoot K+ concentration showed significantly positive correlation. Based on factor analysis, three factors were selected that in total 79% of the total variation was explained. The first and second factors were explained high percent of variation that include survival rate and plant height and number of lateral branches per plant, biomass, plant height difference and Na+ concentration. Genotypes MCC1782, MCC197 ,MCC1703 ,MCC1568, MCC1573, MCC1737, MCC1209, MCC1516, MCC1493, MCC1832, MCC1957, MCC1721, MCC2016, MCC1704, MCC1641, MCC1815, MCC1775, MCC178, MCC1754, MCC1627, MCC1716, MCC1918, MCC1827 ,were selected as the superior genotype under salinity stress of 12 dS.m-1 for four weeks. According to the result of cluster analysis, the genotypes were classified in four clusters. The genotypes of the third and fourth clusters had a high average salinity tolerance compared to other clusters with the investigated traits. ConclusionsWhile chickpea is not traditionally considered a salt-tolerant crop, the observed variations among genotypes suggest that further efforts are required to screen and identify salt-tolerant genotypes and landraces for potential inclusion in breeding programs. It's important to note that the current study was conducted in a controlled environment, with only a few weeks of exposure to salinity treatment. Consequently, we propose a more extensive experiment that includes those genotypes exhibiting superior performance in terms of survival rate, biomass accumulation, low shoot sodium content, and high potassium content.

An experiment was carried out during Rabi 2018-19 at three locations (Nandyal, Gulbarga and Vijayapura) in Southern India to identify high yielding and stable chickpea genotypes for cultivation in South Zone. At each of the locations, the stability and adaptability of 35 advance breeding lines and two checks viz., JG 11 and JAKI 9218 were tested in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Highly significant genotype × environment interaction was evident for days to 50 percent flowering, days to maturity, 100 seed weight and seed yield. Among three locations, Gulbarga was the most favourable environment for expression of the traits. The study identified BDNG 2017-1, RKG 13-22, RVSSG 67, DBGC-2 and DC 17-1111 as stable genotypes which can be recommended for all the three locations where as NBeG 798, BG 4001, PG 215, CSJ 1065, H15-27, RG 2016-134, DC17-115 and ICCV 171117 are appropriate for favourable environments.