Influence of Organic and Conventional Farming on Grain Yield and Protein Composition of Chickpea Genotypes

Abstract

Chickpea is a key crop in sustainable cropping systems and for its nutritional value. Studies on agronomic and genetic influences on chickpea protein composition are missing. In order to obtain a deep insight into the genetic response of chickpeas to management in relation to agronomic and quality traits, a two-year field trial was carried out with eight chickpea genotypes under an organic and conventional cropping system. Protein composition was assessed by SDS-PAGE in relation to the main fractions (vicilin, convicilin, legumin, lectin, 2s-albumin). Crop response was highly influenced by year and presumably also by management, with a −50% decrease in grain yield under organic farming, mainly due to a reduction in seed number per m2. No effect of crop management was observed on protein content, despite significant differences in terms of protein composition. The ratio between the major globulins, 7s vicilin and 11s legumin, showed a negative relationship with grain yield and was found to be higher under organic farming. Among genotypes, black-seed Nero Senise was characterized by the highest productivity and water-holding capacity, associated with low lectin content. These findings highlight the importance of the choice of chickpea genotypes for cultivation under organic farming in relation to both agronomic performance and technological and health quality.

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of 2S, 7S, and 11S Enriched Hemp Seed Protein Fractions

“…73% of the total proteins while the 7S and 2S can be considered as minor proteins. This is in contrast to some legume seeds where the 7S is more abundant than the 11S [ 17 , 18 ]. Using a similar isoelectric protein precipitation method, Tang et al [ 9 ] reported approx.…”

The influence of protein concentration on key quality attributes of chickpea-based alternatives to cheese

“…The first of the two peaks, with lower MW, may be attributed to convicilin, a globular protein with MW ∼70 kDa. The proportion of convicilin, and more generally the protein profile of chickpea, may vary according to the agronomic practices used for chickpea seed production (e.g., conventional vs organic) and to the exact chickpea genotype ( De Santis et al, 2021 ). The higher MW protein is possibly lipoxygenase, which normally has MW of 92–94 kDa.…”

Water Use Efficiency, Spectral Phenotyping and Protein Composition of Two Chickpea Genotypes Grown in Mediterranean Environments under Different Water and Nitrogen Supply

“…Lectin, lipoxygenase, 2s albumin, and other protease inhibitors represent the other minor fractions [4,5]. While the existence of a genetic variability is well known [6,7], less information is available on the effect of environment and management on legume storage protein composition and technological performance [2,8,9].…”

“…In a previous study conducted in Mediterranean environment, chickpea protein composition was found to be more affected by agronomic conditions than protein content [9]; thus, this study was carried out in order to test the hypothesis that water and nitrogen supply could affect protein composition as well as other crop physiological and agronomic traits. To this aim, the relationship between the productive response of chickpea genotypes and hyperspectral crop reflectance, including VIs, also in relation to changes in grain protein composition, was evaluated.…”