Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 221-231 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 221 Research Report Open Access Genetic Improvement of Chickpeas: Traits, Targets, and Technology Tianxia Guo Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: tianxia.guo@cuixi.org Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0022 Received: 04 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 05 Oct., 2024 Published: 15 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Guo, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Guo T.X., 2024, Genetic improvement of chickpeas: traits, targets, and technology, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 221-231 (10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0022) Abstract Chickpeas (Cicer arietinumL.) are a vital legume crop, contributing significantly to global food security and nutrition. However, chickpea cultivation faces numerous challenges, including yield instability, susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the need for improved nutritional quality. This study explores key traits for chickpea improvement, focusing on enhancing yield, resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to environmental stresses, and nutritional enhancement. It further reviews molecular and genomic approaches such as Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), Genomic Selection (GS), Genetic Mapping, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, highlighting their application in chickpea breeding programs. A case study on improving drought tolerance is presented, illustrating genetic, genomic, and breeding strategies to develop drought-resilient varieties. Emerging technologies like high-throughput phenotyping, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence are discussed for their potential to revolutionize chickpea breeding. The study also addresses challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the need for diverse germplasm utilization, effective policy support, and bridging the gap between research and farmer adoption. The study concludes by underscoring the pivotal role of integrative breeding technologies in shaping the future of chickpea improvement programs and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Keywords Chickpea improvement; Biotic and abiotic stress tolerance; Molecular breeding; Genomic selection; Drought resilience 1 Introduction Chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) is the second most consumed legume crop globally, cultivated in over 50 countries. It is a vital source of essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, K, B1-B3, B5, B6, B9, and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium, which are beneficial for human health. Chickpeas are particularly important for diabetics due to their low glycemic index and high fiber content. Additionally, chickpeas contribute significantly to food security and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries (Koul et al., 2022). The crop’s high protein content and essential fatty acids further enhance its nutritional value, making it a crucial component of the human diet (Madurapperumage et al., 2021). Despite its nutritional benefits and agricultural importance, chickpea cultivation faces several challenges. The crop is often grown in marginal soils with low phosphorus availability, which severely hampers yields (Djouider et al., 2022). Biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, cold, and salinity, also significantly affect chickpea productivity (Arriagada et al., 2022). Although there have been advancements in developing stress-resistant varieties, there are still gaps that need to be addressed to improve yield and resilience (Koul et al., 2022). The genetic diversity within chickpea species offers potential for breeding programs, but the complexity of its genome and the need for precise phenotyping and novel breeding strategies pose additional challenges (Hiremath et al., 2011; Varshney et al., 2013). This study aims to review the current state of chickpea genetic improvement, focusing on key traits, targets, and technologies. We will explore the nutritional and agricultural importance of chickpeas, the challenges faced in their cultivation, and the objectives of ongoing research efforts. The scope includes an examination of genomic technologies, such as genomics-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, and novel breeding strategies, which are essential for developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and stress-tolerant chickpea varieties. By
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