Global Research Team Decodes Gene Sequence of Chickpea Will lead to fast development of varieties with higher yield, drought tolerance and disease resistance

In a scientific
breakthrough that
promises improved
grain yields and
quality, greater
drought tolerance and
disease resistance,
and enhanced genetic
diversity, a global
research team has
completed high-
quality sequencing of
not one but ninety
genomes of chickpea
(=gram / chana).
Nature Biotechnology,
the highest ranked
journal in the area of
biotechnology, has
featured the research
in its latest issue,
dated 27 January
2013.
The research
milestone was the
result of years of
genome analysis by
the International
Chickpea Genome
Sequencing
Consortium led by the
International Crops
Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT). The project
team had 49 scientists
from 23 organizations
in 10 countries,
including ICAR from
India.
The global research
partnership succeeded
in identifying - 28,269
genes of kabuli
variety of chickpea.
Re-sequencing of
additional 90 chickpea
types provided
millions of genetic
markers. This has
great potential in
developing drought
tolerant and disease
resistant varieties of
this important pulse
crop.
Chickpea or gram is
the second largest
pulse crop in the
world, grown in
about 11.5 million
hectares. It is grown
mostly by poor
farmers and in dry
areas. It is is highly
nutritious. While
India is the largest
producer (also
importer and
consumer) of
chickpea, it is grown
in a number of
African countries
including Ethiopia,
Tanzania and Kenya.
Chickpea is also an
important component
of the pulse industry
in Australia, Canada
and USA.