Effects of growing environment and crop season in nutritional composition genotypes argentinean chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.)

BALBO, R; MARTINEZ M.J.; CARRERAS, J; BALZARINI M

Cordoba

Simposio; Simposio de mejoramiento genetico vegetal; 2023

INTA Manfredi

Abstract: The environment to which a crop is exposed during the growing season has a significant impact on seed composition. Globally, very few attempts have been made to study environmental parameters related to chickpea nutritional quality.The objective of this study was identify climatic variables that significantly affect chickpea nutritional composition.10 chickpea genotypes such as pre-commercial LP1, LP2, J22, J77, J95 (Kabuli), J75 (Desi), and the most commercially sowed in Argentina Norteño, Kiara, and Felipe of the Kabuli type and the new Desi Chañarito-UNC were evaluated in multiple experimental trials. The crop materials were provided by the breeding program of the National University of Córdoba (UNC). Field trials were sown in four locations in the north of Córdoba and one in the north-east of San Luis, Argentina, distributed within the crop area, during 3 crop seasons (2017 to 2019), using a randomized complete block design with three replications per site. The daily climatic record was obtained for each locality during the phenological stages. Chemical determinations were performed at the Grain Quality Laboratory of INTA EEA Manfredi: percentage composition (carbohydrates, proteins, oil and ash), fatty acid profile and tocopherols. Multivariate analysis was used to determinate the relationships between environmental variables of each phenological period and seed chemical composition. All the statistical analyses were performed with InfoStat software.The results obtained was high mean daily air temperature had a negative effect on carbohydrates and defined higher protein and mineral content. The fatty acid profile and gamma tocopherol contents were affected by accumulated precipitation and evapotranspiration during the seed filling period. Air humidity was significantly correlated with protein content and iodine value. Differential responses of chickpeas genotypes to variable environmental conditions related to grain quality are demonstrated.This information is valuable to producers to identify climatic variable thresholds that maximize the concentration of protein, carbohydrates, oil fatty acids and mineral composition in seeds and to breeders to select chickpea germplasm for yield and oil content and tocopherol (including vitamin E) profiles. Producers can use this information for the cultivation of specific chickpea and breeders, for the identification of traits and environments to breed chickpea cultivars. Results from this research are useful for breeders to broaden the genetic background of chickpea genotypes.