CHICKPEA

Chickpea: 

• Chickpea is a cool season crop. In India, chickpea is generally sown in September-October and harvested in January-February. 
  
  
• More than 90% of chickpea cultivation area is in South Asia, including India. Chickpea originated in the Mediterranean/south-west Asia and migrated to south Asia. 
  
  
• Globally, more than 70% yield is lost due to drought and increasing temperatures. 
  
  

Recent study: 

• The study was based on complete genome sequencing of 429 chickpea lines from 45 countries.
  
  
• In the study, scientists identified in chickpea four important genes for heat tolerance and three important genes for drought tolerance.
  
  
• Application:
  • Identification of these climate-resistant genes will help in developing newer chickpea varieties which can tolerate temperatures up to 38°C.
    
    
  • The identification of other genes with important agromic traits will help in increasing the yield and providing better resistance to pests and diseases.