ARS | Publication request: GENETIC VARIATION FOR SEED MINERAL AND PROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN DIVERSE GERMPLASM OF CHICKPEA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 14, 2006
Publication Date: November 12, 2006
Citation: Grusak, M.A., Coyne, C.J. 2006. Genetic variation for seed mineral and protein concentration in diverse germplasm of chickpea [abstract]. In: Abstracts of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2006 International Annual Meetings, November 12-16, 2006, Indianapolis, Indiana. Paper No. 257-8, p. 143.

Technical Abstract: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an important food legume that can provide significant amounts of dietary minerals and protein to humans. In order to better understand the genetic diversity that exists for these nutrients, we have assessed seed mineral concentration and seed protein concentration in 250 accessions of the Chickpea Core Collection that is maintained by USDA. Plants of each accession were grown to maturity in a greenhouse using a soil mix and daily irrigation with a complete nutrient solution. This "luxury consumption" of nutrients was designed to focus on the genetic potential of each accession to acquire and mobilize minerals to their seeds. At maturity, all seeds collected from six plants per accession were combined, dried at 70 C, and finely ground to homogenize the bulk sample. Two sub-samples of each accession were processed for mineral analysis using ICP-OES or total nitrogen analysis (proxy for protein) using a kjeldahl procedure. Seed mineral concentrations ranged from 1.5-fold to 3.3-fold for macronutrient minerals (Ca, Mg, K, P) and from 2.2-fold to 6.4-fold for micronutrient minerals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). Protein concentrations ranged from 10.8 to 21.0%. Data for individual accessions are being entered into the USDA-ARS Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) database, where the information can be accessed by breeders and other research scientists. This work was funded, in part, through a grant from the USDA-ARS Cool Season Food Legume Crop Germplasm Committee to MAG and through funds from USDA-ARS under Agreements No. 58-6250-6-001 (MAG) and 58-6250-6-001 (CC) .