Screening and Selection of Drought-Tolerant High-Yielding Chickpea Genotypes Based on Physio-Biochemical Selection Indices and Yield Trials

Abstract

Chickpea production is seriously hampered by drought stress, which could be a great threat in the future for food security in developing countries. The present investigation aimed to screen the drought-tolerant response of forty desi chickpea genotypes against drought stress through various physio-biochemical selection indices and yield-attributing traits. Principle component-based biplot analysis recognized PG205, JG2016-44, JG63, and JG24 as tolerant genotypes based on physiological selection indices. These genotypes retained higher relative water content, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and photosynthetic rate. ICC4958, JG11, JAKI9218, JG16, JG63, and PG205 were selected as tolerant genotypes based on biochemical selection indices. These genotypes sustained higher chlorophyll, sugar and proline content with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. With respect to yield trials, JAKI9218, JG11, JG16, and ICC4958 had higher seed yield per plant, numbers of pods, and biological yield per plant. Finally, JG11, JAKI9218, ICC4958, JG16, JG63, and PG205 were selected as tolerant genotypes based on cumulative physio-biochemical selection indices and yield response. These identified drought-tolerant genotypes may be further employed in climate-smart chickpea breeding programs for sustainable production under a changing climate scenario.

Validating the Nutraceutical Significance of Minor Millets by Employing Nutritional–Antinutritional Profiling

“…The role of phenolic acids has also been investigated in the treatment of diabetes. The favorable effects of phenolic acids in diabetes are attributed to the partial suppression of amylase and α-glucosidase during the enzymatic hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates, which slows glucose absorption and hence reduces postprandial blood glucose levels [ 56 ].…”

Prioritization of Physio-Biochemical Selection Indices and Yield-Attributing Traits toward the Acquisition of Drought Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

“…The present findings agree with the earlier results that drought stress causes a substantial decrease in RWC, CTD, SLA, Ci, Pn, gs, Tr (mmol), Chl and protein content, DTF, DTM, NOP, SY, 100-SW, PY, and HI; as well as a substantial increase in hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and MDA content [ 31 , 33 ]; and an accumulation of osmolytes, i.e., sugar and proline content. The activity of antioxidant enzymes including SOD, POD, CAT, and APX in all studied genotypes [ 14 ] was also reduced. Similar results have been found in a recent study conducted by Alsamadany et al [ 34 ] in tomato plants.…”

“…By demonstrating the relationships between the morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters and the distribution patterns of chickpea genotypes under drought-stressed conditions, PCA-biplots demonstrated an excellent contribution to the performance of chickpea genotypes under drought stress. The most effective multivariate methodology for assessing the relationship between genotypic performance and characteristics is PCA-biplot [ 14 ]. Numerous researchers are making full use of it to analyze the characteristics’ association in various crop plants [ 70 ].…”

“…In India, drought has occurred at least once every 3 years during the last five decades; however, in Central India and Southern India, the incidence of drought is more recurrent [ 4 , 13 ]. The pre-flowering and early pod-filling periods of the chickpea crop are the most vulnerable to water stress [ 14 ].…”

“…In chickpeas, abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms are correlated with the accumulation of osmolytes and antioxidants, which help in sustaining metabolism, protecting macromolecules, and retaining membrane integrity, leading to acclimation under drought stress [ 21 , 22 ]. Under drought stress, growth and photosynthesis are primarily affected; therefore, to understand the morpho-physiological and biochemical basis of yield variation and minimize yield loss under drought, it is imperative to evaluate growth parameters such as morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters along with yield-attributing traits [ 14 , 22 , 23 ].…”