Biochemical and Physiological Insights into Heat and Drought Stress Tolerance in Chickpea Pollens and Yield

Muhammad Abu Bakar Ghalib; Zain Ul Abideen; Muhammad Talha Ramzan; Muhammad Shaban; Muhammad Bilal

Biochemical and Physiological Insights into Heat and Drought Stress Tolerance in Chickpea Pollens and Yield

Authors

Muhammad Abu Bakar Ghalib Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
Zain Ul Abideen Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture & Environment, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Muhammad Talha Ramzan Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Shaban Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Burewala Campus), Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Bilal State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, China

Keywords:

Chickpea, Physiological trait, Genotypes, QTLs, Heat stress, Climate resilience

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of temperature extremes (heat and cold) and salinity stress on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production, particularly focusing on yield losses and physiological responses under these abiotic stresses. A review of recent experimental and field studies was conducted, incorporating statistical analyses of yield reductions and stress tolerance traits. Data synthesis included quantitative assessments of yield loss percentages and evaluations of antioxidant enzyme activity levels in different chickpea genotypes. Findings revealed that heat stress during the reproductive phase could reduce chickpea yield potential by 30-40%, while combined heat and drought stress might cause yield declines of 40-45%. Stress during pod filling adversely affected pollen viability and pod set, leading to shrivelled pods. The analysis also highlighted that certain chickpea genotypes exhibited higher activities of proline and antioxidant enzymes (linked to the ascorbate-glutathione cycle), which play key roles in heat tolerance. Temperature stress during early growth and reproductive phases significantly diminishes chickpea production by disrupting physiological and reproductive processes. The results underscore the urgent need to develop climate-resilient and stress-tolerant chickpea cultivars tailored for different agroecological regions. To address these challenges, the study recommends leveraging modern genetic tools such as CRISPR and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to breed chickpea cultivars with superior stress tolerance. Sustained investment in biotechnology and targeted breeding programs will be essential for securing chickpea productivity under changing climate conditions.

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Biochemical and Physiological Insights into Heat and Drought Stress Tolerance in Chickpea Pollens and Yield