Screening for Phosphorus (P) Acquisition Efficient Genotypes and Identification of Sequence Variations among P-Efficient and Inefficient Genotypes in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Low phosphorus (P) availability is the major abiotic constraint in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation across the globe as well as in India. Present study contemplated to identify high P-acquisition efficient chickpea genotypes suitable for P-deficient regions and sequence variation was detected among the tested P-acquisition efficient and inefficient genotypes. Initial screening was conducted with 104 diverse chickpea genotypes at two locations characterized by P-sufficient and deficient conditions. A panel of 14 chickpea genotypes having contrasting P-acquisition efficiency was extracted for further assessment under P-sufficient and deficient conditions. Along with the significant genetic variations, the P-efficient chickpea genotypes had high P-acquisition efficiency than P-inefficient genotypes in both the conditions. P-acquisition efficient genotypes recorded high biomass and good yield potential in P-deficient condition in comparison to P-inefficient genotypes. Sequence analysis of the CaSPX3 domain containing protein gene from Pacquisition efficient and inefficient genotypes identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5' - untranslated region. Present findings might be of great importance in future marker-assisted breeding in chickpea especially for P-deficient soil.