Search Results (179)

Ascochyta blight (AB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus [Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr.], is one of the most destructive diseases of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), causing yield losses of up to 100% under favorable conditions. The pathogen possesses a heterothallic mating system with two mating-type idiomorphs, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, which contribute to high genetic diversity and the frequent breakdown of host resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge of AB biology, epidemiology, and management, highlighting recent advances in molecular diagnostics, host–pathogen interactions, and population dynamics. Conventional and modern detection methods, including PCR-based assays, field-deployable diagnostic tools, and high-throughput phenotyping approaches, are discussed. Resistance to AB is genetically complex and predominantly polygenic, involving multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs), although major resistance genes have also been reported. Genomic tools such as QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genomic selection have accelerated the identification of resistance loci and improved the efficiency of chickpea breeding. The potential of wild Cicer species as sources of novel resistance alleles is also emphasized. Integrating genetic resistance with effective disease monitoring and management strategies remains essential for sustainable AB control and the development of durable resistant cultivars. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a highly nutritious legume with significant potential as a food plant. With the advent of climate change and the challenge of feeding a growing population, strategies to produce high-nutrient crops are of utmost importance. In this context, this study describes how light intensity and wavelength affect the embryonic axis of chickpea sprout metabolism, using untargeted metabolomics. Chickpea sprouts were grown under varying light wavelengths (red—650, green—550, and blue—450 nm) at two intensities (75 and 275 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹). Analyses were restricted to the embryonic axis (hypocotyl), excluding the cotyledons, which are a reserve-rich tissue. Results showed that high-intensity red light (RH) increased phenolic content by more than 300% compared to controls. Green and blue light treatments significantly increased the protein content by more than twice that of the dark control. Antioxidant activity was significantly higher in sprouts grown under high-intensity blue light (BH). Additionally, the results suggested that pathway regulation is affected not only by wavelength but also by light intensity, with greater significance and effect under BH and RH treatments in isoflavonoid biosynthesis. High quercetin concentration found under BH is hypothesized to explain the high antioxidant activity when compared to the rest. For instance, these findings highlight the potential of light manipulation to modulate and enhance the nutritional and functional qualities of chickpea sprouts’ embryonic axis, contributing to food security and human health. Further studies need to be conducted to answer whether these metabolite changes directly translate to the nutritional quality of the whole edible sprouts. Full article

Climate change is increasingly constraining agricultural productivity by intensifying drought, accelerating soil degradation, and increasing pest and disease pressure. In this context, biostimulants are emerging as sustainable tools to improve crop resilience and maintain yield under suboptimal conditions. This study evaluated the effects of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, grain yield, seed quality, root traits, and soil properties under low-fertility and water-limited conditions in a marginal field in southern Italy. Treatments included an untreated control and biostimulants based on microelements, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), microbial consortia, ozonated oil, and humic substances. Biostimulants significantly affected agronomic traits. Humic substances increased plant height, while microelements markedly enhanced reproductive performance, with pod number increasing from 13 in the control to 23 pods plant⁻¹. Root traits were also improved, particularly under microbial, humic, and AMF treatments. Grain yield was highest in the ozonated oil treatment (430.6 kg ha⁻¹), whereas seed nutritional composition showed only limited variation among treatments. Biostimulants also induced treatment-specific changes in soil fertility indicators. Overall, the results indicate that selected biostimulants can improve chickpea performance and modulate soil fertility under marginal conditions, although multi-year studies are needed to confirm the stability of these responses under variable environments. Full article

Soil salinity inhibits biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legumes, compromising nitrogen nutrition and crop productivity. This study evaluated whether two halotolerant Mesorhizobium ciceri strains (S1, S2) can sustain BNF and alleviate moderate salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in three Tunisian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars (Amdoun, Béja 1, and Nour). Inoculated and non-inoculated plants were grown under controlled conditions. Salinity reduced shoot dry weight by 37.5–42% and severely impaired nodulation (≈60% reduction) in non-inoculated plants. Bacterial inoculation significantly increased germination rate, shoot and root biomass, and nodule number compared to non-inoculated salt-stressed controls. Improved nodulation corresponded to better nitrogen nutrition, reflected by higher leaf chlorophyll content (a proxy for nitrogen status). However, direct measurements of nitrogenase activity (e.g., acetylene reduction assay) are needed to confirm enhanced BNF. Inoculated seedlings also exhibited lower oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde) and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), indicating reduced reactive oxygen species damage. Cultivar-specific responses were observed: Amdoun responded best to S1, Béja 1 to S2 for biomass recovery, while Nour showed strong antioxidant induction but limited growth gain. We conclude that halotolerant M. ciceri strains improve chickpea performance under salt stress primarily by sustaining BNF and nodulation, thereby maintaining nitrogen nutrition. Strain–cultivar compatibility is critical for optimizing this bio-inoculant strategy in saline agroecosystems. Our findings identify the combination of cultivar Béja 1 with strain S2 as the most promising for biomass recovery under moderate salinity, providing a practical, strain–cultivar matching framework that can guide the development of effective bio-inoculants for chickpea production in salt-affected areas of Tunisia and similar Mediterranean regions. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major annual legume crop with a balanced nutritional profile and a broad spectrum of bioactive constituents; these characteristics have made it a useful ingredient in health-oriented food applications. Chickpea supplies protein that is readily absorbed and digested, along with isoflavones and other bioactive plant compounds that act on physiological pathways associated with chronic disease prevention. Nonetheless, the combined pressures of drought, heat, cold, and salinity persistently limit its yield potential and cultivation stability. This review integrates the most recent progress in chickpea research, with emphasis on its intrinsic value derived from macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive metabolites. It further synthesizes the physiological determinants and metabolic reprogramming mechanisms underlying abiotic stress tolerance, outlines precision breeding strategies for developing resilient and high-quality ideotypes, and examines pathways for the high-value utilization of chickpea-derived processing by-products. Future efforts should focus on developing stress-resilient cultivars and expanding chickpea’s application in functional food innovation. Full article

Leaf architecture critically impacts crop yield. The Auxin Response Factor (ARF) family is a key regulator of leaf development, yet remains uncharacterized in the important legume crop chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), which bears pinnate compound leaves. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification and analysis of ARF genes in chickpea. We identified 33 CaARF genes and resolved their phylogenetic structure through comparison with six other key dicot species. The analysis revealed a deeply conserved core set of ARF proteins across species, all sharing the N-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD), with most the C-terminal PB1 domain, connected by a middle region (MR). We also uncovered instances of lineage-specific expansion, e.g., a chickpea-specific ARF clade, which is characterized by the absence of the C-terminal PB1 domain. Expression profiling using public transcriptome data and qRT-PCR revealed distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns for CaARF genes across tissues and during compound leaf development. Detailed in situ hybridization analysis for selected candidates, chosen based on phylogenetic proximity to known leaf-development-related ARFs in other species, localized their transcripts to specific regions within compound leaf primordia. Focusing on CaARF5, the closest ortholog of Arabidopsis MONOPTEROS/ARF5, we confirmed its nuclear localization and dynamic expression during chickpea leaf development. Functional complementation assays demonstrated that CaARF5 could restore developmental defects in the Arabidopsis mp mutant. Our study establishes an evolutionary and molecular framework for the chickpea ARF family, highlighting conserved features and species-specific innovations, and provides essential resources for future research on auxin-mediated leaf development and ARF-targeted legume breeding. Full article

Carbon footprint and C balance are used to understand whether an agroecosystem is a C source or sink. Our objective was to evaluate C inputs and outputs for determining C balance for pulse crops in rotation with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from 2021 to 2022 to 2024–2025 in the US northern Great Plains. Pulse crops (chickpea [Cicer arietinum L], lentil [Lens culinaris Medik.], and pea [Pisum sativum L.]) were rotated with spring wheat to form four crop rotations (chickpea–spring wheat, lentil–spring wheat, pea–spring wheat, and spring wheat–spring wheat). Straw C was 26–74% lower for pulse crops than spring wheat, but 19–23% greater for pea–spring wheat than chickpea–spring wheat and lentil–spring wheat. Root biomass and rhizodeposit C were 24–31% greater for spring wheat–spring wheat than chickpea–spring wheat and pea–spring wheat. Grain C was 21% greater for pea than chickpea, but 64–97% lower for pulse crops than spring wheat. Cumulative CO₂ flux from May to April was 14–17% greater for spring wheat–spring wheat than chickpea–spring wheat and lentil–spring wheat. Soil C sequestration rate was greater for pea and spring wheat than chickpea and lentil, or greater for pea–spring wheat and spring wheat–spring wheat than other crop rotations. Carbon balance was 5–16% lower for pulse crops than spring wheat, or 9–16% lower for pulse crop–spring wheat rotations than spring wheat–spring wheat. Because of greater C input and C sequestration rate, spring wheat can reduce C loss compared to pulse crops, or continuous spring wheat can reduce the loss compared to pulse crop–spring wheat rotations. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) flour is a promising raw material for bio-based packaging due to its protein and polyphenol content. In this study, thermocompressed chickpea flour sheets were reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to improve their barrier, mechanical, optical, thermal, and structural properties. Preliminary trials identified 22% moisture as the most suitable condition for consistent sheet formation. CNC was incorporated at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% (w/w). Thermocompression reduced the measurable phenolic fractions, although antioxidant activity was not significantly affected. CNC markedly reduced water vapor permeability from 5.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ in the control to 5.93 × 10⁻¹² g∙m⁻¹∙s⁻¹∙Pa⁻¹ at 7.5% CNC. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased with CNC loading, whereas elongation at break was highest at intermediate concentrations. Optical characterization showed changes in transmittance and opacity. Thermal analysis indicated that CNC modified the DSC thermal event, whereas only minor differences were observed in the TGA profile. SEM, DSC, XRD, and FTIR analyses suggested changes in morphology and thermo-structural organization. Overall, CNC improved barrier and mechanical performance, supporting the potential of these sheets as a material for semirigid biodegradable packaging applications. Full article

Although adding phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers to rhizobial inoculation improves nutrient accumulation in chickpeas, it is unclear which is most effective. This study evaluated whether inoculating chickpeas grown in silty-loam or silty-clay-loam soil with liquid- or peat-based rhizobial inoculants, in addition to P and/or Zn fertilizer, alters shoot nutrient concentration. The following genotypes were used: ICCV3110, ICCV8101, ICCV97024 and ICCV92944. The following levels of fertilizer were used: no addition of fertilizer, 10 kg/ha Zn, 40 kg/ha P, and Zn plus P. The following combinations of fertilizer and rhizobial inoculation were used: Zn plus P (peat-based inoculant), denoted as Zn + P + R_P, and Zn plus P (liquid-based inoculant), denoted as Zn + P + R_L. Our results showed that ICCV97024 exhibited increased shoot P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn concentrations when grown in silty-loam soil and increased shoot Ca, Zn, Mn and B concentrations when grown in silty-clay-loam soil. Adding P, or P plus Zn, increased shoot P, while adding Zn, or Zn plus P + R_L, enhanced shoot P, Fe and B. Adding Zn increased shoot Zn, K and Ca, and adding Zn plus P + RP increased shoot Ca. Overall, chickpeas grown in silty-loam soil accumulated the most nutrients. Adding P, P plus Zn and Zn + P + R_L improved shoot P, while adding Zn and Zn + P + R_P enhanced shoot Zn and Ca, respectively. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a globally important legume crop whose grain yield is strongly influenced by environmental and agronomic variability. This study aimed to predict chickpea grain yield using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and to identify key traits associated with yield formation across different genotypes under semi-arid conditions. The dataset consisted of 96 chickpea genotypes evaluated over two growing seasons (2022–2023) in Sivas, Türkiye. The results demonstrated that reproductive traits, particularly seed weight per plant, number of pods per plant, and number of seeds per plant, were the most influential factors determining grain yield. Environmental variability also contributed significantly to yield prediction, highlighting the importance of genotype–environment interactions. The developed ANN model showed high predictive accuracy, indicating its robustness in capturing complex relationships among yield-related traits. Beyond prediction, the model provides biologically meaningful insights into trait prioritization, supporting its application in chickpea breeding programs. Overall, the findings suggest that ANN-based approaches can serve as effective decision-support tools in precision agriculture by enabling accurate yield estimation, facilitating the selection of high-performing genotypes, and identifying key breeding traits for sustainable crop improvement. Full article

This study investigated the effects of germination on the antioxidant capacity and protein characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) with a focus on processing-induced biochemical and structural modifications relevant to food applications. Raw, soaked, and germinated chickpeas were comparatively analyzed to evaluate integrated changes in antioxidant activity, protein composition, amino acid profiles, and anti-nutritional factor. Antioxidant-related properties were assessed using total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while protein-related characteristics including soluble protein, amino acids, and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) profiles were examined alongside phytic acid content. Germination significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity, with TPC increasing from 0.91 to 1.64 mg GAE/g, and DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP values also markedly elevated compared with raw samples. Soluble protein content increased from 72.79 to 82.86 mg/g, while phytic acid content decreased from 92.49 to 59.49 mg/g. Free amino acids, particularly alanine, histidine, and phenylalanine, showed substantial increases following germination. SDS–PAGE and densitometric analysis revealed a redistribution of protein fractions, characterized by a reduced intensity of high-molecular-weight protein bands and a relative increase in intermediate molecular weight proteins, indicating partial proteolysis and structural modification of storage protein. These findings demonstrate that gemination acts as a biochemical processing step that enhances antioxidant potential, improves protein-related nutritional attributes, and reduces antinutritional factors, supporting the use of germinated chickpea as a functional plant-based ingredient for food processing applications. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) generally contains lower levels of these compounds than many other legumes, yet information on Hungarian chickpea cultivars is scarce. This study aimed to characterize protein-based antinutritional factors in twenty chickpeas grown under different agroclimatic conditions over three consecutive years (15 samples from seven Hungarian cultivars from three cultivation areas, and five commercially available foreign genotypes). Protein profiles were examined by SDS-PAGE and native PAGE, while trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) was quantified spectrophotometrically according to ISO 14902, and lectin activity was determined using a hemagglutination assay. SDS-PAGE revealed highly similar protein patterns among samples, indicating comparable overall protein composition. Native PAGE combined with activity staining confirmed the presence of Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors, with multiple isoforms detected, but no Bowman–Birk-type inhibitor activity was observed. TIA values were low (0.49–4.07 mg inhibited trypsin/g), and lectin activities were generally low (1–2.5 HU/mg flour; only one sample reached 5 HU/mg) or undetectable. Neither cultivation area nor growing year had a significant effect on TIA or lectin activity, confirmed by statistical analyses. Overall, Hungarian chickpea varieties exhibited low and stable levels of antinutritional proteins, supporting their favorable nutritional quality and suitability for human consumption and expanded cultivation under Hungarian agroclimatic conditions. Full article

Pulse crops, having the capacity for biological nitrogen (N) fixation, rarely receive N fertilizers, but information is scarce on N balance for pulse crops or pulse crop-spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations. The objective of the study was to evaluate N balance based on N inputs and outputs and soil N sequestration rate for pulse crops and pulse crop-spring wheat rotations from 2021 to 2024 in the US northern Great Plains. Pulse crops (chickpea [Cicer arietinum L.], lentil [Lens culinaris Medik.], and pea [Pisum sativum L.]) were rotated with spring wheat to form four crop rotations (chickpea–spring wheat, lentil-spring wheat, pea–spring wheat, and spring wheat–spring wheat). Total N input from N fertilization, biological N fixation, soil N mineralization, crop seed, and precipitation was 9–27% greater for pea than for other crops and greater for pea–spring wheat than chickpea–spring wheat and continuous spring wheat. Total N output from grain N removal, ammonia volatilization, denitrification, plant senescence, leaching, surface runoff, and gaseous emissions was 20–62% greater for spring wheat than pulse crops. Nitrogen sequestration rate at 0–15 cm was 89% greater for spring wheat than lentil and 106–107% greater for pea-spring wheat and spring wheat–spring wheat than lentil–spring wheat. Nitrogen balance was 215–356% greater for chickpea and pea than lentil and spring wheat and 114–118% greater for chickpea–spring wheat and pea–spring wheat than lentil–spring wheat. Greater N input increased N surplus for pea or pea-spring wheat, and greater N output increased N deficit for spring wheat or spring-spring wheat compared to lentil or lentil–spring wheat, indicating that pea alone or in rotation with spring wheat reduced N loss to the environment by increasing soil N storage compared to continuous spring wheat. Full article

Fermentation can enhance the technological properties and nutritional value of legumes. This study aimed to develop an innovative chickpea-based fermented beverage with yeast in combination with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains. Autochthonous cultures isolated from chickpea soaking water, along with LAB strains from previous studies, were used to produce fermented chickpea beverages. Hydrolyzed chickpea flour was inoculated with LAB (Lactiplantibacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lentilactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Weissella) and 2 yeast (Metschnikowia and Saccharomyces) strains. Growth performance, phytic acid content, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated. In a second phase, four fermented beverages were produced by co-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the four best-performing LAB strains. Microbial growth and pH were monitored throughout fermentation, and beverages were analyzed for TAC and Total Polyphenol Content (TPC) before and after in vitro digestion. The beverages exhibited high microbial viability and increased TAC and TPC compared to controls. Although both parameters decreased after in vitro digestion, their values remained higher than those of the controls. The combination Saccharomyces cerevisiae LN7/Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 95 proved to be the most effective. Results highlight the importance of the strains selection in enhancing the antioxidant properties and polyphenol content of plant-based fermented beverages and provide insight into the effects of digestion on their functional properties. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume, valued for its nutritional and bioactive components. In this study, seven chickpea advanced breeding lines, an elite line, and a cultivar were evaluated under field conditions to assess superior agronomic performance, seed quality traits, nutritional composition, and phenolic profile. A combined approach was used, integrating field phenotyping, seed quality assays, and LC–MS-based phenolic profiling. Significant genotype-dependent variation was observed in plant height, biomass yield, and 1000-seed weight, with P9/14 and P10/14 advanced lines performing strongly in yield-related traits. Seed functional properties also differed, with P8/14 showing superior hydration and seed coat characteristics, while cv. Blanco Sinaloa exhibited the highest hydration and swelling capacities. Protein content ranged from 22.6% to 25.4%, with P9/14 being the most protein-rich advanced line. Phytochemical and antioxidant analyses revealed substantial differences among genotypes: Blanco Sinaloa and M-15370 showed the highest total phenolics and ABTS activity, whereas P14/14 exhibited the strongest DPPH scavenging capacity. LC–MS profiling identified six major phenolic subclasses, with isoflavones predominating and biochanin A and its derivatives being the most abundant compounds. Overall, the integration of agronomic, nutritional, and phytochemical data highlights the advanced lines P14/14 and P9/14 as promising candidates for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing chickpea nutritional quality and functional seed attributes. Full article