Genetics of aluminium tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

An understanding of the inheritance of aluminium (Al) tolerance is important to breed for Al-tolerant genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Therefore, a study was undertaken to infer genes governing Al tolerance in chickpea. Tolerant lines ÔICC14880Õ and ÔIPC92-39Õ were crossed with sensitive lines ÔIPCK96-3Õ and ÔIPC99-4Õ. Parental, F 1 , F 2 , F 3 and backcross generations were evaluated in a nutrient solution containing 20 ppm Al for haematoxylin staining and root re-growth and classified for tolerance by staining of root tips and root re-growth. The F 1 hybrids responded similarly to the tolerant parents indicating dominance of Al tolerance over sensitivity. Segregation for tolerance vs. sensitivity in F 2 fitted well with the 3 : 1 ratio expected for a single gene. The backcross and F 3 data confirmed the presence of single dominant gene common in tolerant parents. Experimental findings showed that Al tolerance is a monogenic dominant trait that can be easily transferred to high yielding lines through a backcross breeding.

Variation of aluminium tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

“…Our results clearly indicate that the extent of this inhibition depends on the genotypes and the Al concentration applied during the stress period as previously reported in saffron (Chen et al 2008). Inhibition of root elongation has been widely recognized as a trait for the screening of aluminium (Al) stress (Delhaize andRyan 1995, Gallego andBenito 1997) and is mostly used in genetic studies (Singh and Choudhary 2010, Singh and Raje 2011a, Khatiwada et al 1996. Normally, the root is the plant organ most affected by aluminium toxicity, and more specifically, the root tip is considered to be the main site for aluminium toxicity (Archambault et al 1997).…”

“…2008). Inhibition of root elongation has been widely recognized as a trait for the screening of aluminium (Al) stress (Delhaize and Ryan 1995, Gallego and Benito 1997) and is mostly used in genetic studies (Singh and Choudhary 2010, Singh and Raje 2011a, Khatiwada et al. 1996).…”

“…In faba bean, root elongation is decreased by about 50% in the presence of 9.3 m m AlCl 3 m m/m 3 in the rooting medium (Gauer and Horst 1990), whereas in field pea, root elongation was completely inhibited by 100 m m/ m 3 AlCl 3 in the solution (Matsumoto 1991). The most tolerant chickpea with the levels separating sensitive from tolerant genotypes is 20 ppm Al in haematoxylin staining and root regrowth in short‐term aluminium exposure (Singh and Raje 2011a). However, solution concentration of 5 ppm Al 3+ shoot dry weight of a sensitive cultivar reduced by 70%, whereas that of a relatively tolerant cultivar reduced only 27% in chickpea (Rai 1991).…”

“…The haematoxylin staining and root regrowth are frequently used techniques because they have produced consistent results (Singh et al. 2009, Singh and Choudhary 2010, Singh and Raje 2011a, Singh et al. 2011c, Singh 2012).…”

“…Among these techniques, hydroponic techniques are widely used because of their convenience and sufficient accuracy. The haematoxylin staining and root regrowth are frequently used techniques because they have produced consistent results , Singh and Choudhary 2010, Singh and Raje 2011a, Singh et al 2011c, Singh 2012. Such techniques have unconditional advantages over field screening because reliable ranking of tolerance in the field screening is difficult owing to the large temporal and spatial variation in acidic soils.…”