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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions
Published on: March 9, 2021
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Physiological plasticity to high temperature stress in chickpea: Adaptive responses and variable tolerance
Akanksha Pareek1, Divya Rathi1, Divya Mishra1
1National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
Summary
High temperature stress (HTS) severely impacts cool-season legumes like chickpea. This study reveals specific metabolic and genetic adaptations in chickpea conferring thermotolerance, crucial for crop improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Agricultural Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- High temperature stress (HTS) is a major constraint on plant growth and crop yield globally.
- Cool-season legumes, such as chickpea, are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures due to climate change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cultivar-specific responses to HTS in chickpea.
- To identify morpho-physicochemical, gene expression, and metabolic adaptations conferring thermotolerance.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of chickpea genotypes under HTS.
- Assessment of morpho-physicochemical traits, photosynthetic capacity, and membrane stability.
- Gene expression analysis focusing on heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes.
- Metabolite profiling of a thermotolerant chickpea cultivar.
Main Results:
- The ICC 1205 chickpea cultivar exhibited thermotolerance through enhanced water use efficiency, photosynthesis, and osmolyte accumulation.
- Adaptive responses included increased expression of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes.
- Metabolome screening identified 49 HTS-responsive metabolites, including polycarboxylic acids, sugar acids, sugar alcohols, and amino acids.
Conclusions:
- Chickpea exhibits differential adaptive responses to HTS at physiological, genetic, and metabolic levels.
- Identified metabolites and pathways are potential targets for breeding thermotolerant chickpea varieties.
- This comprehensive study provides insights for improving crop resilience to heat stress.
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