Chickpea Cultivars Research Articles

Farklı Nohut Çeşitlerinin Kışlık Yetiştiriciliğinin Araştırılması

Yield performances differ according to the environment in which the plants are grown. In order to determine the chickpea cultivars suitable for Kahramanmaraş province, 17 different chickpea cultivars were tried during the growing seasons of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Among the characteristics examined in the study, flowering times, pod bind times, first branch height to years, varieties and years variety interactions were significant as statistical. There were statistically significant differences in terms of plant height, years and year × variety interaction. The number of pods, pod length, pod width created statistically significant differences in terms of years and cultivars. The differences among the cultivars in terms of grain yield were found as statistically significant. It was determined that the effects of years, cultivars and year-variety interactions on the first pod height, number of branches, and pod diameter did not have a statistically significant. At the end of the two-year study, it was concluded that Seckin, Arda, Hasanbey, Çagatay, Azkan, Ubet, Damla 89 and Aslanbey chickpea cultivars can be recommended due to the over grain yield of 300 (345-301) kg from per decare in Kahramanmaras conditions.

Investıgatıon Of The Morphologıcal Characterıstıcs Of Chıckpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Cultivars Cultivated Under Irrıgated And Non-Irrıgated Conditions Sown In Winter And Early Sprıng

This research was carried out to determine the yield and physiological characteristics of İnci, Hasanbey, Seçkin and Aydın chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars at different sowing times and under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in Çukurova climate conditions. Experiments were carried out in a divided plot design with four replications for two years, in 2012 and 2013 growing years. In the study, two different planting times (winter-early spring) and two different water applications (irrigated and non-irrigated) were applied and some properties related to yield and morphology were examined. The trials were conducted at the Doğankent location in the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute research area. In the experiments, the main plots were arranged according to sowing time, and the sub-plots consisted of cultivars, and irrigated and non-irrigated plots. As a result of the research, it was determined that sowing time and water applications affected agronomic and morphological characteristics. These changes were observed according to planting times and varieties.
 In terms of morphological characteristics, it was determined that there were decreases in summer plantings and non-irrigated conditions in which planting time and irrigation were significantly effective in all four cultivars. Increases were determined in winter plantings compared to summer plantings. Increases in yield and hundred-seed weights under irrigated conditions, increases in yield values, flowering and pod binding values were observed in winter plantings. In terms of two-year average values, a yield of 196.29 kg da-1 was obtained in irrigated conditions and 158.11 kg da-1 in non-irrigated conditions in winter plantings. In terms of two-year average values, 139.67 kg da-1 yield was obtained in irrigated conditions and 121.14 kg da-1 yield was obtained in summer plantings.

Response of Released Chickpea Cultivars to some Fusarium oxysporum f. sp ciceris Isolates in Sudan

Chickpea seeds in Sudan is an economically important, as a cash crop that generates income for farmers and rural communities, and as a significant source of protein for poor people. It is used increasingly as a substitute for animal protein This study was conducted to screen eight chickpea cultivars viz Salawa, Burgeig, Wadhamid, Jebelmarra, Hawatta, Shendi, Atmour, and Mattama using eighteen (18) isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp ciceris (FOC) isolated from infected plants of chickpea displaying the characteristic symptoms of Fusarium wilt disease in winter season from different locations in Sudan. A pot experiment was carried out to assess disease intensity in terms of disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS). After seven weeks from inoculation 19 out of 144 isolated-cultivar combinations do not show disease symptoms. The cultivar Burgeig was found to be immune to all Fusarium wilt isolates in the second and third week after inoculation. After seven weeks from inoculation, the least DI and DS were registered in Burgeig, whereas the highest ones were observed in cultivar Shendi. The remaining cultivars showed different responses to FOC isolates. Regarding disease development, the high jump in incidence and severity occurred between the third and fourth week after inoculation. The FOC isolate S9 seems to be more virulent and aggressive compared to the others.

Suppression of Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea by Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas sp. and Rhizobacterial Isolate

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the antagonistic effects of some selected rhizobacteria on Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. ciceris in a pot experiment. Rhizobacterial isolates (one isolate of Pseudomonas, eight isolates of Bacillus genera and one bacterium isolate) and two chickpea cultivars (Shendi and Burgeig) were arranged in a factorial pot experiment in CRD with four replicates. The disease incidence and severity were detected weekly. Disease reduction percentage was estimated at the end of the study. Generally, the application of rhizobacterial isolates as biological control agent reduced disease incidence compared with the control in both cultivars. The incidence in cultivar Shendi occurred at the third week after inoculation when treated with Pseudomonas stutzeri strain W28 (SA3) and Bacillus subtilis strain CM14(SA9). For the two cultivars, Shendi and Burgeig, the Geobacillus sp. CRRI-HN-1(SA2) and Bacillus sp (SA1), respectively had the highest positive effect on disease incidence and severity throughout the experiment compared with the control. These were 45.36 and 44.82% in incidence; 55.36 and 63.89% in severity, respectively.

Contribution to Improving the Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Efficiency in Low-Phosphorus Farming Systems: Assessment of the Relationships between the P and N Nutrition, Nodulation Capacity and Productivity Performance in P-Deficient Field Conditions

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), the third largest produced pulse worldwide, is primarily grown on marginal soils often characterized by a phosphorus (P)-deficiency that severely hampers yields. The objectives of the study are to investigate the relationships between the P-acquisition, P-use efficiency (PUE) and the agronomical performances towards the developing varieties tolerant to the P-deficiency. We evaluate the impact of the P-deficiency on the growth, yield, germination and nodulation performances of seven chickpea cultivars grown in fields with a low-P soil availability, during two seasons. The adaptive mechanisms to maintain the efficiency of the physiological processes, such as the nitrogen (N)-fixing nodule function, germinability, and possibly photosynthesis, are revealed. In contrast, the large genotypic variation in the yield components, in the P and N acquisition, and in the PUE is observed, supporting the role of the nodules in the P uptake in P-deficient soils. The P-acquisition and utilization efficiencies are genetically decoupled, suggesting designing distinct breeding strategies to promote one or both PUE components. As an outcome, we identify a set of chickpea cultivars adapted to a region with a soil P scarcity, that exhibit efficient N and P metabolism and a superior productivity. This germplasm can be used in breeding programs for low-P input efficient chickpeas. This contributes to the implementation of eco-friendly farming practices while making the most of marginal soils.

A superior gene allele involved in abscisic acid signaling enhances drought tolerance and yield in chickpea.

Identifying potential molecular tags for drought tolerance is essential for achieving higher crop productivity under drought stress. We employed an integrated genomics-assisted breeding and functional genomics strategy involving association mapping, fine mapping, map-based cloning, molecular haplotyping and transcript profiling in the introgression lines (ILs)- and near isogenic lines (NILs)-based association panel and mapping population of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). This combinatorial approach delineated a bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) transcription factor, CabHLH10 (Cicer arietinum bHLH10) underlying a major QTL, along with its derived natural alleles/haplotypes governing yield traits under drought stress in chickpea. CabHLH10 binds to a cis-regulatory G-box promoter element to modulate the expression of RD22 (responsive to desiccation 22), a drought/abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive gene (via a trans-expression QTL), and two strong yield-enhancement photosynthetic efficiency (PE) genes. This, in turn, upregulates other downstream drought-responsive and ABA signaling genes, as well as yield-enhancing PE genes, thus increasing plant adaptation to drought with reduced yield penalty. We showed that a superior allele of CabHLH10 introgressed into the NILs improved root and shoot biomass and PE, thereby enhancing yield and productivity during drought without compromising agronomic performance. Furthermore, overexpression of CabHLH10 in chickpea and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) conferred enhanced drought tolerance by improving root and shoot agro-morphological traits. These findings facilitate translational genomics for crop improvement and the development of genetically tailored, climate-resilient, high-yielding chickpea cultivars.

Improving prediction of chickpea wilt severity using machine learning coupled with model combination techniques under field conditions

Accurate estimation of disease severity in the field is a key to minimize the yield losses in agriculture. Existing disease severity assessment methods have poor accuracy under field conditions. To overcome this limitation, this study used thermal and visible imaging with machine learning (ML) and model combination (MC) techniques to estimate plant disease severity under field conditions. Field experiments were conducted during 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2021–22 to obtain RGB and thermal images of chickpea cultivars with different levels of wilt resistance grown in wilt sick plots. ML models were constructed using four different datasets created using the wilt severity and image derived indices. ML models were also combined using MC techniques to assess the best predictor of the disease severity. Results indicated that the Cubist was the best ML model, while the KNN model was the poorest predictor of chickpea wilt severity under field conditions. MC techniques improved the prediction accuracy of wilt severity over individual ML models. Combining ML models using the least absolute deviation technique gave the best predictions of wilt severity. The results obtained in the present study showed the MC techniques coupled with ML models improved the prediction accuracies of plant disease severity under field conditions.

Characterization and classification of selective Indian chickpea cultivars based on physical and hydration properties, using image and multivariate analysis

AbstractChickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an important leguminous crop, widely consumed for its high protein content, mainly in Asian countries. India is the largest chickpea‐producing country in the world. Chickpea seeds vary in shape and size depending on the cultivars. Physical properties play an important role in designing the equipment for storage and processing. Thus, the present study was carried out with the objective to characterize selected Indian chickpea cultivars based on their physical properties and hydration characteristics. Hydration is an important preprocessing treatment in most processes like germination, cooking, and fermentation, so the water uptake characteristics (water absorption capacity, swelling index, equilibrium moisture content, and weight gain) vary depending on the size and shape of the seeds. The increase in the length of chickpea seeds after hydration was found to be in the range of 18.18% to 32.08% for different cultivars, whereas the percentage increase in width ranged from 25.62% to 45.45%. The maximum increase in sphericity was 7.39%. Weight gain (%) after hydration was observed to be ranging from 98.87 ± 0.64% to 113.53 ± 0.60%. Comparative characteristics of selective chickpea cultivars based on their physical and hydration properties were studied and classify them using multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) for multivariate data may be used to classify the chickpea cultivars. First three principal components explained the 90% variation, with PC1 and PC2 explaining the 73.03% variation. Using HCA, all the cultivars were classified into three clusters based on the similarities in their properties. The three‐dimensional (3‐D) image analysis approach was also employed to study the physical characteristics before and after soaking. It can be a helpful technique for process automation as it is less time consuming.

Non-invasive evaluation of Ascochyta blight disease severity in chickpea using field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry and hyperspectral imaging techniques

Evaluation of disease severity of breeding materials to a disease is a key step to develop disease-resistant cultivars in plant breeding. Visual evaluation that requires intensive training and experience can be subjective, though it is used as a common practice in plant breeding. Optical sensing techniques have been evaluated for disease monitoring with encouraging results, however, it is limited by factors, such as illumination, architecture of plants, and disease types. In this regard, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-based sensing techniques can serve as an alternative solution. In this study, a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) system was evaluated as a rapid VOCs-based phenotyping tool for monitoring disease severity in chickpea. Chickpea cultivars with three levels of resistance to Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) were cultivated in greenhouse and inoculated with pathogen spores or treated with sterilized water (control). The VOC sensing system with a FAIMS system and a customized sampling chamber was used to acquire VOC profiles of chickpea plants. Meanwhile, visual ratings (1–9 rating scale) and hyperspectral images of chickpea plants were collected and used as reference data. Features were extracted from FAIMS and hyperspectral data, respectively, and used as inputs to develop machine learning models (discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and kernel classification model) to predict the disease severity rating. When using one ion current matrix from all samples for model development, prediction accuracy of classification models with FAIMS data were lower than those based on features from hyperspectral images. When three matrices from all (control and inoculated) samples or data from inoculated samples were utilized, the overall prediction accuracy of classification models with FAIMS data were higher (up to 94%) than those developed with only one matrix. The study demonstrated that FAIMS system can be used as a VOCs-based phenotyping tool to evaluate disease severity rapidly and illustrated comparable performance as hyperspectral imaging without destructive sampling. With further improvement on sampling and instrumentation, the FAIMS system can be a useful tool for monitoring disease and assisting in evaluating new cultivars for desired resistance to the diseases.

Characterization of chickpea cultivars and trait specific germplasm for grain protein content and amino acids composition and identification of potential donors for genetic improvement of its nutritional quality

AbstractEver increasing global population necessitates the need to increase availability of affordable foods with high nutritional quality. Chickpea being the second most important grain legume cultivated worldwide has the great potential to alleviate problems of protein malnutrition and hidden hunger. The objective of the present investigation was to characterize a diverse set of 402 germplasm comprising of more than 100 commercial cultivars widely cultivated and utilized by breeders for grain protein in two contrasting environments to explore the magnitude of natural genotypic diversity present in the cultivated chickpea and the scope for enhancing it and its quality through breeding. The cultivars containing more than 25 to 30.44% grain protein have been found in the study and large scale production of such protein rich cultivars is expected to increase availability as well as consumption of high quality chickpea necessary to overcome all forms of malnutrition. Trait specific germplasm containing grain protein up to 33.56% are also identified for their further utilization as potential donors in the chickpea improvement programme. The amino acid profiling of selected high and low protein containing genotypes showed considerably greater average amino acid score for all the essential amino acids than the WHO recommended requirement values and is comparable to those of the ‘complete protein’ sources of food suggesting that chickpea deserves to be considered as a ‘complete protein’ source.

Impact of germination on structural, physicochemical, techno-functional, and digestion properties of desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) flour

Germination significantly increased the nutrient composition, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of the chickpea flour cultivars studied (GNG-469 and GNG-1581). Protein and starch digestibilities were significantly improved in germinated chickpea flour. Germinated chickpea flour formed gels that had a shear modulus about 60% that of the non-germinated ones. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that both A and B type polymorphs were present in the chickpea flour cultivars. Germination significantly reduced the relative crystallinity of the chickpea flour cultivars, from around 33 to 27% for GNG 469 and around 30 to 25% for GNG 1581. Protein secondary structures showed increase in β-sheets and random coils content in chickpea cultivars during germination. Phenolic acid profiling showed a decrease in the concentration of ellagic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, and caffeic acids but an increase in gallic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids after germination.

Integrated genomic approaches delineate a novel role of ROP1 ENHANCER1 in controlling seed protein content of chickpea.

Utilizing a combinatorial approach of quantitative trait locus (QTL)-Seq and candidate gene-based association mapping, the QTLs and genes responsible for seed protein content (SPC), a major quality trait in chickpea, were identified. Whole genome re-sequencing based QTL-Seq analysis of bulked recombinant inbred lines from a mapping population contrasting for SPC led to the identification of two QTLs [0.94 Mb on Linkage Group (LG)5 and 1.16 Mb on LG6] encompassing three SNPs, displaying the highest ΔSNP index. These highly significant SNPs and their associated genes were validated in 211 chickpea mini-core accessions varying in SPC, revealing a tightly associated marker affecting CaREN1 (ROP1 ENHANCER1) and explaining a phenotypic variation of 23%. This SNP was subsequently converted into a cost effective allele-specific PCR-based marker that could be utilized for rapid screening of SPC during marker assisted breeding. Furthermore, in planta functional validation via knockdown of CaREN1 transcripts led to significant reduction in SPC of chickpea. This decrease in seed protein is likely due to disruption in the formation of CaREN1 protein complexes comprising chaperones, phosphopeptide-binding proteins, and GTPases that mediate folding, transport and accumulation of seed storage proteins, as indicated through affinity purification-mass spectrometry. Taken together, our data will expedite tailoring of chickpea cultivars with augmented SPC.

Determination of Agro-Morphological Characteristics of New Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties in Kayseri Conditions

Bu çalışma Kayseri koşullarında yeni nohut (Cicer arietinum L.) çeşitlerinin agro-morfolojik özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma 2022 yılında Erciyes Üniversitesi Tarımsal Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezine ait merkez kampüste bulunan deneme alanında, tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre 3 tekrarlamalı olarak kurulmuş ve yürütülmüştür. Denemede kullanılan materyaller 2015-2021 yılları arasında ülkemizde tescil edilen Aslanbey (2016), Atabay (2019), Aydoğan (2018), Bahadır (2019), Çiftçi (2021), Göktürk (2019), Karlı (2018), Nihatbey (2020) ve Tunç (2019) çeşitleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen sonuçlara göre; bitki boyu 37,3-50,0 (cm), ilk bakla yüksekliği 23,0-34,3 (cm), bitkide ana dal sayısı 2,3-3,3 (adet), bitkide bakla sayısı 18.3-31.3 (adet), baklada tane sayısı 0,860-0,980 (adet), bitkide tane sayısı 16,0-30,67 (adet), birim alan tane verimi 207,3-436,67 (kg/da) ve yüz tane ağırlığı 33,00-43,67 (g) değerleri elde edilmiştir. Buna bağlı olarak tane verimi yönünden en yüksek tane verimine sahip olan Atabay ve Aslanbey çeşitleri Kayseri ekolojik koşulları için önerile bilinir.

Comparative resistance and susceptibility of different chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed cultivars to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is a damaging insect pest of chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) in storage. Using chickpea seed cultivars that are resistant to C. maculatus is one of the best techniques to reduce the infestation risks of this pest. We studied the differences in the resistance and susceptibility of seven commercial chickpea cultivars (Adel, Ana, Ata, Mansour, Nosrat, Saeed, and Samin) to C. maculatus based on the free-choice oviposition preference, food consumption, life history/life table parameters, and digestive enzyme activity. Compared with other examined cultivars, C. maculatus oviposition preference and food consumption were highest on cultivars Ana and Adel, respectively. The developmental times were longest on cultivars Nosrat and Saeed, and shortest on cultivar Adel. Immature survival significantly differed among the cultivars, and was highest on cultivars Adel and Mansour, and lowest on cultivar Nosrat. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) was on cultivars Adel and Mansour, and lowest on cultivars Nosrat and Saeed. The amylolytic and proteolytic activities of fourth instar larvae were lowest on cultivar Ata. There were significant negative correlations between the seed hardness index with food consumption, immature survival, longevity, fecundity, r, and amylolytic activity of C. maculatus. As a result, the seed hardness is a main factor responsible for the resistance and susceptibility of the examined chickpea cultivars to C. maculatus, and this feature could be utilized to develop efficient control measures of the pest such as the production of transgenic seeds.

Kışlık ve Yazlık Ekilen Bazı Nohut Çeşitlerine Kimyasal Uygulamaların Etkisi

This research was carried out in the experimental area of the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute in 2012 and 2013. In the study, four different chemical applications (Thidiazuron, Ethephon+cyclanilide + Thidiazuron, Glyphosate, Ethephon+cyclanilide) were used in four chickpea cultivars (İnci, Hasanbey, Seçkin and Aydın), in two different sowing times for winter (December), Summer (February) and harvest maturity. It was aimed to determine some agronomic characteristics of the plant, its yield and its effects on the germination of seeds. Average and the standard deviation values of the number of major branches (1.75±0.51), the number of minor branches (6.69±3.95), the total number of pods (60.84±27.83), Number of empty pods (6.57±3.36), number of full pods (54.64±25.75), number of seeds (63.60±30.56), seed yield (23.55±11.31) differed between 4 chickpea varieties in winter sowing. In chickpea cultivars without chemical applications average and the standard deviation values of the number of major branches (1.84±0.42), the number of minor branches (7.54±4.61), the total number of pods (55.19±14.55), the number of empty pods (6.87±3.21), the number of full pods (48.68±12.9), the number of seeds (58.12±15.86), the grain yield (21.03±6.59) varied between the mean and standard deviation values. Average and the standard deviation values of the number of major branches (2.07±0.95), the number of minor branches (11.77±10.13), the total number of pods (52.59±18.06), the number of empty pods 5.72±3.74, number of full pods (47.4±15.25), number of grains (55.14±19.12), grain yield (18.36±6.46) in chickpea varieties with chemical applications exhibited difference among chickpea cultviars during in summer sowing. The number of major branches (1.94±0.91), the number of minor branches (12.83±11.56), the total number of pods (56.27±19.82), the number of empty pods (6.59±4.7) in cultivars , the number of full pods (49.82±17.18), the number of seeds (59.06±20.73), the grain yield (19.88±7.42) varied between the mean and standard deviation values during summer sowing season.

The relationship between natural rain intensity and Ascochyta blight in chickpea development

Ascochyta blight management strategy in chickpea standing crops in Australia is solely based on applying protective fungicides before a forecast rainfall event. Despite this, studies on the likely interaction between natural rain (as well as simulated rain) amount, duration and Ascochyta blight development are rare. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between natural rain intensity (mm/h) and Ascochyta blight development. Infested chickpea residue were placed at the soil surface, and three pots of a susceptible chickpea cultivar were randomly placed on each side of the plot (total 12 pots and 36 plants), preceding a forecast rainfall event. Trap plants were transferred to a controlled temperature room after rain events. After a 48 h incubation period, trap plants were transferred to a glasshouse to allow lesion development. The number of lesions on all plant parts were counted after two weeks. Lesions developed in rain amounts as low as 1.4 mm and rain durations as short as 0.7 h. The number of lesions significantly increased with increasing rain amount. There was a positive effect of increasing rain duration and a negative effect of increasing wind speed. This study suggests that small rain amounts, shorter duration rains or a limited amount of primary inoculum are not barriers to conidial dispersal or host infection, and that the current value of a rainfallthreshold (2 mm) for conidial spread and host infection is not accurate for susceptible cultivars.

Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens in manganese uptake by chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars infected by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita)

Chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) is one of the most dominant pulse crops in India, which contributes 38 percent of the area and 50 percent production of pulses compare to the total pulse production of India. Chickpea contains protein-2.1%, carbohydrates-61.5%, and fat-4.5% and more iron, calcium and niacin content. The main constrain of chickpea production due to parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) is about 14% of total global production in annual yield loss. Pseudomonas fluorescens is a bacterial bio-agent that can help in nematode suppression in chickpea plants. This experiment was conducted to experience the differences, if any, in manganese content concerning chickpea inoculated with M. incognita with a combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens as a bioagent, where different treatments of nematode, bacteria, and chemicals are used sustaining the enhancement of disease resistance in chickpea cultivars RSG 974, GG 5, GNG 2144. The total manganese content of chickpea variety GNG 2144 was found highest in treatment, where only bacteria (P. fluorescens) was inoculated, i.e., 6.44 mg/100g of a root, followed by GG 5, i.e., 5.63 mg/100g of root and RSG 974 was, i.e., 4.14 mg/100g of root respectively. Application of Pseudomonas fluorescence combined or alone gradually increased the manganese concentration in roots of chickpea plants i.e., RSG 974 (4.14 mg/100g), GG 5(5.63 mg/100g), GNG 2144 (6.44 mg/100g) compared to the health check.

Chemical composition of kabuli and desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars grown in Xinjiang, China.

Chickpeas are a very important legume crop and have abundant protein, carbohydrate, lipid, fiber, isoflavone, and mineral contents. The chemical compositions of the four chickpea species (Muying-1, Keying-1, Desi-1, Desi-2) from Xinjiang, China, were analyzed, and 46 different flavonoids in Muying-1 were detected. The moisture content ranged from 7.64 ± 0.01 to 7.89 ± 0.02 g/100 g, the content of starch in the kabuli chickpeas was greater than that in the desi chickpeas, the total ash content ranged from 2.59 ± 0.05 to 2.69 ± 0.03 g/100 g and the vitamin B1 content of the chickpeas ranged from 0.31 to 0.36 mg/100 g. The lipid content ranged from 6.35 to 9.35 g/100 g and the major fatty acids of chickpeas were linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Both kabuli and desi chickpeas have a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), Muying-1 and Desi-1 contained the highest level of linoleic acid, and Keying-1 had the highest oleic acid content. The protein level ranged from 19.79 ± 2.89 to 23.38 ± 0.30 g/100 g, and the main amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and arginine acid. The four chickpea species had significant amounts of essential amino acids (EAAs). Forty-six varieties of flavonoids in Muying-1 were determined by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS) analysis, and there were higher levels of conjugate flavonoids (55.95%) than free flavonoids (44.05%). Isoflavones were the most abundant flavonoids in Muying-1, and among the isoflavones, daidzin had the highest content, followed by biochanin A and genistin. Muying-1 was rich in daidzin, biochanin A, genistin, troxerutin, isorhamnetin, astilbin, L-epicatechin, astragalin, acacetin, hyperoside, and myricitrin. Information provided in the study will be helpful to further understand the chemical composition of chickpeas and be beneficial to the development of chickpeas.

Genome-wide analysis suggests the potential role of lncRNAs during seed development and seed size/weight determination in chickpea.

The integrated transcriptome dataanalyses suggested the plausible roles of lncRNAs during seed development in chickpea. The candidate lncRNAs associated with QTLs and those involved in miRNA-mediated seed size/weight determination in chickpea have been identified. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of various biological processes. Here, we identified lncRNAs at seven successive stages of seed development in small-seeded and large-seeded chickpea cultivars. In total, 4751 lncRNAs implicated in diverse biological processes were identified. Most of lncRNAs were conserved between the two cultivars, whereas only a few of them were conserved in other plants, suggesting their species-specificity. A large number of lncRNAs differentially expressed between the two chickpea cultivars associated with seed development-related processes were identified. The lncRNAs acting as precursors of miRNAs and those mimicking target protein-coding genes of miRNAs involved in seed size/weight determination, including HAIKU1, BIGSEEDS1, and SHB1, were also revealed. Further, lncRNAs located within seed size/weight associated quantitative trait loci were also detected. Overall, we present a comprehensive resource and identified candidate lncRNAs that may play important roles during seed development and seed size/weight determination in chickpea.

Relationships of frequencies of extreme low temperatures with grain yield of some Australian commercial chickpea cultivars

In this study, we examined the relationships between extremes of low temperatures and chickpea yield in 12 field experiments conducted at six sites in the subtropical environment of southeast Queensland (SEQ) from 2014 to 2019. Three commercial chickpea cultivars, PBA-Boundary, PBA-HatTrick and PBA-Seamer, were grown in all the experiments. Cultivars PBA-Pistol, PBA-Monarch and Kyabra were also included in three of these experiments conducted in 2015. In these experiments, the crop experienced a total of 8 to 41 frosts (minimum temperature < = 0 °C), 2 to 41 pre-flowering frosts, 2 to 19 frosts during the critical period, 0 to 13 frosts and 2 to 71 low-temperature days (< = 15 °C) after flowering. The mean yield, which varied from 1 to 3 t/ha, was negatively related to post-flowering frosts (r = − 0.74, p < 0.01) and low-temperature days (r = − 0.76, p < 0.01), and positively related to pre-flowering frosts (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). Each post-flowering frost was associated with a 5% decrease and a low-temperature day with a 1% decrease in yield. The cultivar × site interaction was significant only in the three experiments with six commercial cultivars. This interaction was most likely due to an increase in the sensitivity range with additional cultivars, as indicated by frost damage scores and their relationships with yield. The results imply that extreme low-temperature events after flowering could negatively impact chickpea yield in SEQ and similar subtropical environments. Overcoming these effects through management and breeding should increase and stabilise chickpea yield.