Future Prospects for Chickpea Research

Abstract

Advances in genomics technologies, coupled with the availability of several high-throughput genotyping and sequencing platforms during recent years, provided a kick start to the adoption of modern breeding approaches to develop climate-resilient crops. Chickpea is the most important grain legume crop for global food and nutritional security in the context of population explosion and climate vagaries. During last ten years, it has transformed from orphan legume to genomics resource-rich legume like any other model legume plants. There has been a paradigm shift in the outlook of the scientific community in translating the genomic resources including the genome sequence and re-sequence information for developing superior lines with enhanced resistance or tolerance to important abiotic and biotic stresses. In addition, pan-genome and re-sequencing information of several germplasm lines will enable tailoring climate smart chickpeas. In addition, efforts to broaden the genetic base and enhanced utilization of the available trait-specific germplasm lines, multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC), nested association mapping (NAM) populations in breeding programs will accelerate the genetic grains at a faster pace.