Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 221-231 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 228 abiotic stresses. The draft genome sequence of chickpea has provided a valuable resource for trait improvement, highlighting candidate genes for disease resistance and agronomic traits. Additionally, the development of specialized germplasm subsets and the application of next-generation sequencing technologies have opened new avenues for trait mapping and allele mining. Recent breeding programs have also enhanced genetic diversity in both desi and kabuli varieties, reflecting the impact of modern breeding efforts. Future chickpea breeding programs stand to benefit greatly from the continued integration of genomic tools and technologies. The use of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) will be crucial in accelerating the development of superior chickpea varieties with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The identification and utilization of novel haplotypes from diverse germplasm resources will further enhance the genetic base of chickpea breeding programs. Additionally, the adoption of advanced breeding techniques such as speed breeding and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing holds promise for achieving rapid genetic gains and meeting the growing demand for chickpea. Collaborative efforts between public and private organizations will be essential in generating 'super chickpeas' with multiple transgenic traits to address various production constraints. The role of technology in chickpea improvement cannot be overstated. The advent of next-generation sequencing and other genomic tools has revolutionized the way breeding programs are conducted, enabling more precise and efficient selection of desirable traits. The integration of functional omics, parental selection, forward breeding, and genome-wide selection is expected to bring a paradigm shift in the development of climate-resilient and high-yielding chickpea varieties. As we move forward, it is imperative to bridge the genome-to-phenome gap by integrating modern genomics technologies with molecular breeding efforts. The continuous improvement of breeding programs through sequence-based approaches and the adoption of innovative technologies will ensure sustained genetic gains and contribute to global food and nutritional security. Acknowledgments I am grateful to Julie for critically reading the manuscript and providing valuable feedback that improved the clarity of the text. I am also grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback that significantly improved the manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Acharjee S., and Sarmah B., 2013, Biotechnologically generating ‘super chickpea’ for food and nutritional security, Plant Science, 207: 108-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2013.02.003 Arif A., Parveen N., Waheed M., Atif R., Waqar I., and Shah T., 2021, A comparative study for assessing the drought-tolerance of chickpea under varying natural growth environments, Frontiers in Plant Science, 11: 607869. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.607869 Arriagada O., Cacciuttolo F., Cabeza R., Carrasco B., and Schwember A., 2022, A comprehensive review on chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) breeding for abiotic stress tolerance and climate change resilience, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(12): 6794. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126794 Asati R., Tripathi M., Tiwari S., Yadav R., and Tripathi N., 2022, Molecular breeding and drought tolerance in chickpea, Life, 12(11): 1846. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111846 Basu U., Bajaj D., Sharma A., Malik N., Daware A., Narnoliya L., Thakro V., Upadhyaya H., Kumar R., Tripathi S., Bharadwaj C., Tyagi A., and Parida S., 2018, Genetic dissection of photosynthetic efficiency traits for enhancing seed yield in chickpea, Plant, Cell and Environment, 42(1): 158-173. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13319 Biswas P., Ahmed M., Afrin W., Rahman A., Shalahuddin A., Islam R., Akter F., Syed M., Sarker M., Ifterkharuddaula K., and Islam M., 2023, Enhancing genetic gain through the application of genomic selection in developing irrigated rice for the favorable ecosystem in Bangladesh, Frontiers in Genetics, 14: 1083221. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1083221 Borhani S., Vessal S., Bagheri A., and Shokouhifar F., 2019, Differential gene expression pattern of drought responsive transcription factors in chickpea: an expressional analysis, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 39: 1211-1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-019-10056-5
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==