Genotype diversity as a source of tolerance to drought stress in legumes

Authors

  • Chiara Vergata Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
  • Erna Karalija Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Francesco Caleri Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
  • Mattia Calvani Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
  • Angela Rosa Piergiovanni Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Council of Research, Bari, Italy
  • Federico Martinelli Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31383/ga.vol8iss1ga06

Keywords:

climate change, chickpea, drought stress, heat stress, lentils

Abstract

Chickpea and lentils are one of the most important legumes not only as sources of food and nutrients but also for enrichment of soil as a nitrogen fixating crop. An early onset of higher temperatures and drought are affecting chickpea and lentil growth and flowering leading to reduction of yield. In search for a tolerant varieties presented study performed a large-scale screening of two legume varieties (chickpea and lentils) investigating phenotypical response to early onset of drought under heat stress. Under heat stress and two different irrigation conditions, 19 chickpea and 18 lentil accessions were examined. The evaluation focused on their growth, biomass production, and flowering rate in comparison to commercially available varieties. Six chickpea accessions showed tolerance to water stress while only two lentil accessions differed from the rest of tested accessions. Generally, lentils genotypes were less stressed by decreased water availability compared to chickpea. Large scale screening of legume accessions could be a valuable tool to identify new varieties that could show phenotypical traits more adaptable to climate related environmental stresses. To improve the reproductive efficiency in chickpeas and lentils under adverse conditions associated to climate change an extensive breeding effort should be focused on investigation of more tolerant genotypes and cultivation in crop systems.

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Published

20.06.2024

How to Cite

Vergata, C., Karalija, E., Caleri, F., Calvani, M., Piergiovanni, A. R., & Martinelli, F. (2024). Genotype diversity as a source of tolerance to drought stress in legumes. Genetics & Applications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31383/ga.vol8iss1ga06

Issue

Section

Research Articles