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| Chickpea Plant |
Hyderabad, India: A global research team has claimed to have decoded gene
sequences of chickpea (=gram / chana)
that promises improved grain yields and quality, greater drought tolerance and
disease resistance and enhanced genetic diversity.
In this scientific breakthrough research team has completed
high-quality sequencing of not one but ninety genomes of chickpea.
Nature Biotechnology, the highest ranked journal in the area
of biotechnology, has featured the research in its latest issue, dated 27
January 2013.
Video featuring the importance of the research
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 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.