Desi Type Research Articles

Cultivar identification and diversity analysis based on morphological descriptors and image analysis in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Thirty three genotypes of chickpea including 9 kabuli and 24 desi types were evaluated for distinctiveness based on 13 qualitative and 7 quantitative morphological DUS descriptors. In desi type, only 4 traits were polymorphic whereas, in kabuli type, only 3 were polymorphic. Identification profiles were generated on the basis of grouping and essential characters prescribed by DUS Guidelines of PPV and FR Authority. However, out of twenty four desi genotypes, distinct profiles could be created only for sixteen varieties and in kabuli type, only three out of nine genotypes could be singled out individually. Image analysis using scanned images of flowers of desi types successfully complemented the morphological descriptors to establish genotypic identity based on differences in the petal colour intensity and venation pattern. Genetic parameters for all the quantitative traits revealed less environmental influence on the characters expression thus, signifying their utility in the varietal characterization. Seven agro-morphological traits were used to assess the variability using Ward’s Minimum Variance Cluster Analysis. Thirty three cultivars from both types were grouped into four cluster each, however, none of the clusters contained genotypes with all the desirable traits, which could be directly selected and utilized.

Variation in Seed‐Quality Traits of Chickpea and Their Correlation to Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides Concentrations

Genetic resources with desired seed composition are needed to improve nutritional quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds. A germplasm collection of 171 chickpea genotypes (desi and kabuli types) was characterized for selected seed quality traits (thousand‐seed weight [TSW], starch, protein, and amylose) in one greenhouse and two field trials. Kabuli‐type chickpea genotypes (115.7 to 537.4 g and 36.2 to 49.0%) had higher TSW and starch concentrations than desi types (114.6 to 332.4 g and 32.4 to 42.9%), respectively. Desi type chickpea genotypes (16.7 to 27.5%) showed a higher range for protein concentration than kabuli types (17.1 to 24.8%). However, amylose concentration did not vary significantly between desi (29.7 to 34.4%) and kabuli (29.2 to 35.0%) type chickpea genotypes. Genotype, environment, and their interaction showed a significant impact on selected seed‐quality traits. Among the chickpea seed‐quality traits studied, seed weight was the most heritable trait, and it showed significant positive correlation with starch concentration. Protein, amylose, and total raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) had significant negative correlation with TSW. However, total RFO concentration showed significant positive correlation to both starch and protein concentrations. The identified desi and kabuli genotypes can be used as new genetic resources in chickpea improvement programs to develop chickpea varieties with enhanced nutritional composition.

Validation of Seed Weight-Associated SSR Markers and Their Usefulness in Distinguishing Chickpea Genotypes According to Seed Size

Chickpea is an important cool-season grain legume. High-quality seed has the potential to attract premium prices. Hence, the breeding for desirable quality traits, including seed size and weight, is important. A set of 27 chickpea genotypes comprising 14 small and 13 large seeded, representing desi and Kabuli types, were used in the present study. A total of 43 SSR markers which were earlier reported to be associated with 100-seed weight and yield-contributing traits following QTL mapping in unrelated genetic background were used for validation purpose. Out of 43 SSR primers, 33 showed polymorphism amplifying 135 alleles. Neighbor joining-based analysis separated small- and large-seeded genotypes into two broad groups. These markers could distinguish small-seeded chickpea from that of large-seeded ones as well as desi types from that of Kabuli types, thereby validating all these QTL-linked markers in different genetic backgrounds. Fifteen of these primers also amplified 20 unique alleles in 13 chickpea genotypes and can be useful in molecular characterization and identification of specific genotype which has now become mandatory under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights’ Act of India.

Genotype by environment interaction on yield stability of desi type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at major chickpea producing areas of Ethiopia

This study was conducted to determine the interaction between chickpea genotypes with the environment (GxE) on the yield stability and adaptability of desi type chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.). Seventeen chickpea genotypes were evaluated for two cropping years (2012/2013 – 2013/2014) at four locations i.e., eight environments (locations x years combination). Chickpea grain yield was significantly (p<0.01) affected by genotypes, the environments and GxE interaction, indicating that the varieties and the test environments were diverse. GxE was further partitioned by principal component axes. The first two principal components cumulatively explained 53.1% of the total variation, of which 32.7% and 20.4% were contributed by IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. This implies that the interaction of 17 chickpea genotypes with eight environments was predicted by the first two principal components. AMMI1 biplot analysis showed five adaptive categories of genotypes based on similarities in their performance across environments. The AMMI2 biplot generated using genotypes and environmental scores for the first two IPCAs revealed positioning of the five genotype groups (GC) into four sectors of the biplot. Among them, two genotypes in GC 5 (G5 and G11) exhibited high yields across environments, low IPCA1 scores, low AMMI stability value (ASV) and yield stability index (YSI). G5 was released as a new variety, ‘Dimtu’ and registered in the Official Varieties Catalogue of Ethiopia, 2016.

Characterisation of nutritional quality traits of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum) germplasm collection exploited in chickpea breeding in Europe

Seed and flour characteristics of 79 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) accessions from a representative collection of the germplasm used by European breeders were evaluated. The accessions were grouped according to desi or kabuli types and by different seed traits (size, shape, colour, surface). The variation in nutritional composition was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) of data from 13 quality parameters. The first PCA component discriminated the accessions by basic composition (protein, fibre, fat) plus δ-tocopherol, and the second by carotenoid composition (zeaxanthin). Whereas desi types showed higher protein and fibre, kabuli accessions exhibited higher fat contents. The majority of accessions analysed showed very low (&lt;1%) resistant starch content. Higher carotenoid concentration was obtained in desi-type accessions and it was related to specific seed traits: small seed size, angular shape and black colour. Besides discrimination between desi and kabuli groups, the detected associations of classes of shape, size and colour seed traits can be explored in chickpea-quality breeding programs. Several accessions showed higher concentrations of α-tocopherol (&gt;200 μg g–1). LEGCA728, with green colouring in the seed coat and cotyledons, showed exceptional lutein concentration (28.32 μg g–1). We conclude that the chickpea germplasm in use by European breeders presents high potential for improvement of nutritional and health-benefit components not yet routinely implemented in the breeding of this important pulse crop.

Genome-wide identification and molecular characterization of abiotic stress related gene families in chickpea and other plants

Various abiotic stresses such as high salinity and drought affect various aspects of plant physiology and metabolism and as a result, severely diminish crop productivity in some area. In chickpea, three genomes including both ICC4985 (desi type) and CDC frontier (kabuli type) from Cicer arietinum as well as the wild species PI489777 ( Cicer reticulatum ) have been sequenced, which provided a basis to further explore the mechanism on abiotic stress tolerance. In this study, we genome-widely identified 6 abiotic stress related gene families in these three chickpea genotypes and compared these families with those from other plants. These 6 gene families include high-affinity K + transporter (HKT), K + uptake permease (KUP), cation proton antiporters (CPA), vacuolar H(+)-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (VHP), dehydrin (DHN) and stress responsive protein (SRP) families. Our data showed that three chickpea and other plant genomes encoded different sizes of family members and exhibited obvious difference in the family expansion and evolutionary selection. Both segmental and tandem duplication significantly contributed to the CPA family expansion. Although the CPA family showed the strong purifying selection within a species, positive selection was detected among different species of chickpea. Expression analysis showed that most of these family members were expressed in multiple tissues and no tissue-preferred genes were detected. Furthermore, up to 17.9-100% of these family members were up- or down-regulated by either high salinity or drought stress, suggesting their important roles in abiotic stress signaling pathways.

Screening chickpea for adaptation to water stress: Associations between yield and crop growth rate

Abstract Robust associations between yield and crop growth rate in a species-specific critical developmental window have been demonstrated in many crops. In this study we focus on genotype-driven variation in crop growth rate and its association with chickpea yield under drought. We measured crop growth rate using Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) in 20 diverse chickpea lines, after calibration of NDVI against biomass accounting for morphological differences between Kabuli and Desi types. Crops were grown in eight environments resulting from the combination of seasons, sowing dates and water supply, returning a yield range from 152 to 366 g m −2 . For both sources of variation – environment and genotype – yield correlated with crop growth rate in the window 300 °Cd before flowering to 200 °Cd after flowering. In the range of crop growth rate from 0.07 to 0.91 g m −2 °Cd −1 , the relationship was linear with zero intercept, as with other indeterminate grain legumes. Genotype-driven associations between yield and crop growth rate were stronger under water stress than under favourable conditions. Despite this general trend, lines were identified with high crop growth rate in both favourable and stress conditions. We demonstrate that calibrated NDVI is a rapid, inexpensive screening tool to capture a physiologically meaningful link between yield and crop growth rate in chickpea.

Draft genome sequence of Cicer reticulatum L., the wild progenitor of chickpea provides a resource for agronomic trait improvement.

Cicer reticulatum L. is the wild progenitor of the fourth most important legume crop chickpea (C. arietinum L.). We assembled short-read sequences into 416 Mb draft genome of C. reticulatum and anchored 78% (327 Mb) of this assembly to eight linkage groups. Genome annotation predicted 25,680 protein-coding genes covering more than 90% of predicted gene space. The genome assembly shared a substantial synteny and conservation of gene orders with the genome of the model legume Medicago truncatula. Resistance gene homologs of wild and domesticated chickpeas showed high sequence homology and conserved synteny. Comparison of gene sequences and nucleotide diversity using 66 wild and domesticated chickpea accessions suggested that the desi type chickpea was genetically closer to the wild species than the kabuli type. Comparative analyses predicted gene flow between the wild and the cultivated species during domestication. Molecular diversity and population genetic structure determination using 15,096 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed an admixed domestication pattern among cultivated (desi and kabuli) and wild chickpea accessions belonging to three population groups reflecting significant influence of parentage or geographical origin for their cultivar-specific population classification. The assembly and the polymorphic sequence resources presented here would facilitate the study of chickpea domestication and targeted use of wild Cicer germplasms for agronomic trait improvement in chickpea.

English

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of sorting and dehulling postharvest practices on the pasting properties of flours of kabuli (Habru variety) and desi (local) chickpea and faba bean (local) grains. The legume samples were obtained from Hawassa University&rsquo;s Agronomy section and prepared for the experiments. The pasting behavior of the flour samples was observed to be greatly influenced by separate and combined sorting and dehulling treatments. The pasting curve of the kabuli type chickpea was observed to be higher than that of the desi type and faba bean flours. The dehulling process had the highest influence on the pasting curves of the samples. The combined sorting and dehulling treatments improved the pasting characteristics of faba bean and desi chickpea flours to a greater extent, revealing the importance of the treatments for the preparation of these grains as ingredients for commercially processed food products.It was observed that the pasting curves of the treated flour samples were generally higher than the control samples. Sorting and dehulling separately and in combination can be used to improve the functionality of slurries or pastes prepared from chickpea and faba bean flours. &nbsp; Key words: Pasting characteristics, viscosity, sorting, dehulling, chickpea, faba bean.

Bioregulators protected photosynthetic machinery by inducing expression of photorespiratory genes under water stress in chickpea

Globally, water deficit is one of the major constraints in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production due to substantial reduction in photosynthesis. Photorespiration often enhances under stress thereby protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from photoinhibition. Application of bioregulators is an alternative to counter adverse effects of water stress. Thus, in order to analyze the role of bioregulators in protecting the photosynthetic machinery under water stress, we performed an experiment with two contrasting chickpea varieties, i.e., Pusa 362 (Desi type) and Pusa 1108 (Kabuli type). Water deficit stress was imposed at the vegetative stage by withholding water. Just prior to exposure to water stress, plants were pretreated with thiourea (1,000 mg L−1), benzyladenine (40 mg L−1), and thidiazuron (10 mg L−1). Imposed water deficit decreased relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic rate (PN), quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), and enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO). However, bioregulator application maintained higher RWC, PN, Fv/Fm, and lowered LPO under water stress. Expression of Rubisco large subunit gene (RbcL) was low under water stress both in the Kabuli and Desi type. However, bioregulators strongly induced its expression. Although poor expression of two important photorespiratory genes, i.e., glycolate oxidase and glycine decarboxylase H subunit, was observed in Desi chickpea under imposed stress, bioregulators in general and cytokinins in particular strongly induced their expression. This depicts that the application of bioregulators protected the photosynthetic machinery by inducing the expression of RbcL and photorespiratory genes during water deficit stress.

Chickpea variety and phenology affect acquisition ofPea enation mosaic virus, subsequent plant injury and aphid vector performance

Acquisition of Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) by chickpea (Cicer arietinum) when fed on by viruliferous pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) was tested for combinations of two chickpea varieties (‘Bronic’, a kabuli type and ‘Sierra’, a desi type) and three plant ages (14, 28 and 42 days after germination). It was determined whether inoculation with PEMV influenced plant growth and yield components, and the effect of variety × age combinations on the survival and fecundity of aphid vectors was evaluated. Three important findings emerged: (a) Acquisition of PEMV by chickpea depended on plant age. When inoculated at 14 or 28 days, most plants tested positive for PEMV at harvest, while rates of virus acquisition were reduced for 42 day-old plants. (b) Plant age at inoculation affected growth and yield parameters, and this effect differed between chickpea varieties. For both varieties, PEMV infection reduced plant height and biomass at harvest when plants were inoculated at 14 days. Only ‘Sierra’ exhibited significant reductions in plant height and biomass when inoculated at 28 days. Seed set was severely diminished for both varieties when plants were inoculated at 14 and 28 days after germination, but mature plants were not damaged in terms of growth or seed set. (c) The performance of pea aphid was influenced by both chickpea age and variety, with higher fecundities and longer lifespan when colonising 42 day-old plants as compared with younger plants, and better performance overall on ‘Sierra’. This study reveals that chickpea can acquire PEMV at all ages tested, but the most damaging effects for growth and yield parameters occur when plants are inoculated at early phenological stages. Chickpea is a poor host for A. pisum in general, but plants can support vector populations long enough for PEMV transmission and subsequent yield reduction to occur.

Optimization of bio-regulators dose based on photosynthetic and yield performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes

A pot experiment was conducted using two contrasting chickpea varieties, viz., Pusa 362 (Desi type) and Pusa 1108 (Kabuli type) with the objective of optimizing dose of bio-regulators namely thiourea (TU), benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Varying doses of foliar application of TU (0, 500, 1000, 1500 ppm), BA (0, 20, 40, 60 ppm), TDZ (0, 10, 15, 20 ppm) and salicylic acid (0, 50, 100, 150 ppm) were applied before flowering stage. Rates of photosynthesis were recorded at flowering and podding stages and seed yield was obtained at harvest. The results revealed that photosynthetic rate in both varieties increased with increasing doses of bio-regulators at both flowering and podding stages and grain yield also exhibited similar trend. Highest photosynthetic rates and grain yield were recorded with the foliar application of TU, BA, TDZ and SA @ 1000, 40, 10 and 100 ppm, respectively. After curve fitting, optimum dose for TU, BA, TDZ and SA foliar application were estimated to be 878.33, 52.75, 11.78 and 90.63 ppm, respectively.

Heat sensitivity on physiological and biochemical traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Four chickpea cultivars viz. kabuli (Pusa 1088 and Pusa 1053) and desi (Pusa 1103 and Pusa 547) differing in sensitivity to high temperature conditions were analyzed in earthern pot (30 cm) at different stages of growth and development in the year of 2010 and 2011. Pusa-1053 (kabuli type) showed maximum photosynthetic rate and least by Pusa-547 (desi type), whereas maximum cell membrane thermostability were recorded in Pusa-1103 and minimum in Pusa-1088. Among the treatments, the plants grown under elevated temperature conditions had produced 13.01% more significant data in comparison to plants grown under continuous natural conditions. Stomatal conductance were reduced 44.25% under elevated temperature conditions than natural conditions, whereas 35.56%, when plants grown under initially natural conditions upto 30DAS, then 30-60DAS elevated temperature and finally shifted to natural conditions till harvest. In case of Pusa-1103, stomatal conductance was maximum as compared to rest of 2.7% from Pusa-1053, 8.9% from Pusa-1088, and 10.3% in Pusa-547 throughout the study. Plants grown under continuous elevated temperature conditions had produced 15.30% and 15.32% more significant membrane thermostability index in comparison to continuous natural conditions at vegetative stage and 19.40% and 18.44% at flowering stage, while the better response was recorded at pod formation stage. Pusa-1053 had given 2.8% more membrane thermostability index than Pusa-1088 and Pusa-1103 had given 1.6% more membrane thermostability index than Pusa-547 in the present study. The membrane disruption caused by high temperature may alter water ion and inorganic solutes movement, photosynthesis and respiration. Thus, thermostability of the cell membrane depends on the degree of the electrolyte leakage.

Differences between easy- and difficult-to-mill chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) genotypes. Part I: Broad chemical composition

Ease of milling is an important quality trait for chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and involves two separate processes: removal of the seed coat and splitting of cotyledons. Four chickpea genotypes (two desi types, one kabuli type and one interspecific hybrid with 'wild' C. echinospermum parentage) of differing ease of milling were examined to identify associated seed composition differences in the seed coat, cotyledons and their junctions (abaxial and adaxial). Several components in different fractions were associated with ease of milling chickpea seeds: primarily soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (including pectins) and protein at the seed coat and cotyledon junctions, and the lignin content of the seed coat. This study shows that the chemical composition of chickpea does vary with seed type (desi and kabuli) and within desi genotypes in ways that are consistent with physical explanations of how seed structure and properties relate to milling behaviour.

Effect of dehusking and cooking on protein and dietary fibre of different genotypes of desi, kabuli and green type chickpeas (Cicer arietinum).

Dehusking and cooking are essential and important component of processing of chickpea to enhance the digestibility of essential nutrients of grains. Protein and dietary fibres are important due to their role in lowering plasma cholesterol and other health advantages. Changes during dehusking and dehusking followed by cooking on soluble protein, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin contents of four genotypes of desi type (BG 256, JG 74, KWR 108 and DCP 92-3), four genotypes of kabuli type (BG 1053, KAK 2, JKG 1 and L 550) and two genotypes of green type (Sadabahar and BDG 112) of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) were studied. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin of grain decreased to an extent of 21.6%, 29.6% and 27.3% respectively on dehusking, whereas pectin recorded an increase of 26.2% on dehusking. The cooking of dehusked grain registered a marginal increase in cellulose, lignin and pectin, but a decrease in hemicellulose content. The soluble protein recorded an increase of 21.3% on dehusking and 26.6% increase on cooking, as compared to unprocessed grain.

Genetic variability and interrelationships of phenological, physicochemical and cooking quality traits in chickpea

Eighty-six chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, including 44 Kabuli type and 42 Desi type, were evaluated for their phenological, physicochemical and cooking quality traits. There were significant differences among the genotypes for days to 50% flowering (34–81 d), days to maturity (85–122 d), number of pods per plant (13–66), number of seeds per plant (15–85), 100-seed weight (10.5–58.6 g), seed yield (561–1852 kg/ha), hydration capacity (0.11–0.68 g water/seed), hydration index (0.80–1.21), swelling capacity (0.11–0.7 ml/seed), seed volume (0.1–0.52 ml/seed) and cooking time (38–125 min). The Desi and Kabuli types of chickpea differed significantly from each other for all the traits except for hydration index, swelling index and cooking time. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for 100-seed weight, hydration capacity, swelling capacity and seed volume in both Desi and Kabuli genotypes. Seed size (100-seed weight and seed volume) showed significant positive correlations with hydration capacity and swelling capacity. Cooking time did not show any significant positive or negative correlation with any of the traits studied, including seed size, indicating that other additional factors may be involved in controlling cooking time. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to develop cultivars with faster cooking time in both Kabuli and Desi types and in all seed size categories.

Some physiological responses of chickpea cultivars to arbuscular mycorrhiza under drought stress

A factorial experiment based on RCB design with three replicates was conducted to investigate changes in some physiological responses of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars (Pirouz from Desi type and ILC482 from Kabuli type) to arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdman) under different irrigation treatments. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Agricultural Faculty of Kurdistan University from April to August 2009. The results showed that leaf chlorophyll content of chickpea cultivars was significantly increased by arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) under both well and limited irrigation conditions. Proline accumulation in chickpea leaves under moderate and severe drought stresses was significantly stronger than that under optimum irrigation. Inoculation of chickpea with mycorrhizal fungi caused an increase in the activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, but a decrease in the activity of catalase. Comparisons among different irrigation levels showed that chickpea plants under drought stress had the most active lipid peroxidation. Non-AM plants showed stronger lipid peroxidation under moderate and severe water stresses than AM plants. Lipid peroxidation was more active in Pirouz leaves than in ILC482 leaves. It seems that Kabuli-type cultivar responded better to mycorrhizal symbiosis under drought stress than Desitype cultivar.

Inheritance of Natural Seed-Coat Cracking in Chickpea

A spontaneous mutant with natural seed-coat cracking, designated "cracked seed-coat mutant (CSM)," was identified in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from an F(2) population of a cross ICRISAT chickpea (ICC) 10301 × ICC 12430. The extent of seed-coat cracking (SCC) varied widely from a minute to several wide cracks. Seed coats showed cracks before seeds were fully developed and the plants had reached physiological maturity. However, seed-coat cracks were most visible on dry matured seeds, particularly in desi types. Two loci (Scc-1 and Scc-2) that controlled SCC were identified. F(1) plants from the crosses of CSM with desi genotypes produced seeds with no SCC, whereas F(1) plants from the crosses of CSM with kabuli genotypes produced seeds with SCC. F(2) segregation followed 13:3 and 7:9 ratios for plants without SCC and with SCC in CSM × Desi and CSM × Kabuli crosses, respectively. Three alleles were identified at the first locus (Scc-1) from CSM (Scc-1 (c)), desi (Scc-1 (d)), and kabuli (Scc-1 (k)) types, with the dominance relationship being Scc-1 (d) > Scc-1 (c) > Scc-1 ( k ). At the second locus (Scc-2), CSM had the dominant allele (Scc-2), whereas both desi and kabuli types had the recessive allele (scc-2). The SCC trait showed no linkage with leaf type (pinnate vs. simple) and flower color (pink vs. white) and had no adverse effects on grain yield. The SCC trait may facilitate dehulling and preparation of splits (dal), but the cracked seed would be prone to damage by insect pests and unfavorable moisture conditions.

Changes of antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation and chlorophyll content in chickpea types colonized by different Glomus species under drought stress

In order to investigate the effects of Glomus species on some physiological characteristics of two chickpea types (Pirouz cultivar of Desi type and ILC-482 of Kabuli type) under non-stress (NS) and drought stress, an experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with three replications. Drought stress decreased shoot and total dry weight in plants. However inoculation of plants with mycorrhiza improved these traits. Leaf chlorophyll content was decreased, but leaf proline content and guaiacol peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) (POD), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) (APX) activities were increased as a result of drought stress. Drought stress had no significant effect on soluble protein content and polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1) (PPO) enzymatic activity in chickpea plants. In general, drought stress and especially severe drought stress increased membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA) in chickpea plants, which was more evident in non-inoculated than in inoculated plants. Inoculation of chickpea by AM significantly increased POD and PPO activities compared with non-inoculated chickpea, but had no effect on CAT activity and proline content of leaves. The reaction of chickpea cultivars to inoculation by AM species and irrigation levels were different. ILC-482 showed that antioxidant enzymes activities were more and thus less MDA compared with Pirouz cultivar. In general, the most POD and PPO activities were recorded for inoculated plants with G. etunicatum and G. versiform species, and the most APX activity was observed in plants inoculated with G. intraradices.

Studies for Physicochemical and In Vitro Digestibility Characteristics of Flour and Starch from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Flour and isolated starch from chickpea (desi type, 328S-8) were evaluated for their in vitro digestibility and physicochemical properties. The protein content, total starch content and apparent amylose content of chickpea flour and isolated starch were 22.2% and 0.6%, 45.8% and 91.5%, and 11.7% and 35.4%, respectively. Chickpea starch granules had an oval to round shape with a smooth surface. The X-ray diffraction pattern of chickpea starch was of the C-type and relative crystallinity was 24.6%. Chickpea starch had only a single endothermic transition (13.3 J/g) in the DSC thermogram, whereas chickpea flour showed two separate endothermic transitions corresponding to starch gelatinization (5.1 J/g) and disruption of the amylose-lipid complex (0.7 J/g). The chickpea flour had a significantly lower pasting viscosity without breakdown due to low starch content and interference of other components. The chickpea starch exhibited significant high setback in the viscogram. The average branch chain length, proportion of short branch chain (DP 6～12), and long branch chains (DP≥37) of isolated chickpea starch were 20.1, 20.9% and 9.2%, respectively. The rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) contents of chickpea flour and starch were 9.9% and 21.5%, 28.7% and 57.7%, and 7.1% and 9.3%, respectively. The expected glycemic index (eGI) of chickpea flour (39.5), based on the hydrolysis index, was substantially lower than that of isolated chickpea starch (69.2).