Location: Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research
Project Number: 2090-21000-038-026-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2026
End Date: Nov 30, 2027
Objective:
The objectives of this agreement are: 1. Identify genetic markers associated with seed protein concentration in chickpea, 2. Determine seed protein concentrations in USDA chickpea lines and commercial varieties, and 3. Develop new chickpea lines and varieties with increased seed protein concentration.
Approach:
Detecting useful genetic markers: A chickpea gene mapping panel developed by USDA that includes 252 accessions will be the base population for marker discovery. More than 50,000 genetic markers, referred to as “Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms” (SNPs), have been identified in this panel. The size of this panel will be increased to approximately 350 accessions by adding new breeding lines from USDA and selected accessions from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The size increase will make the panel useful to breeders across a broader range of traits and increase the precision of detecting useful genetic markers. DNA will be extracted from each additional accession and commercially sequenced. DNA sequences will be examined to identify SNPs from which genetic markers significantly associated with seed protein concentration will be detected. All new sequence data will be submitted to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Determining seed protein concentration in USDA lines and varieties: Field experiments with promising USDA chickpea breeding lines and popular commercial varieties will be conducted in 2026 at multiple locations in Washington. ‘USDA Quinn’. Locations will include the Washington State University Spillman Agronomy Farm, in Pullman, WA, along with other field sites of cooperating growers. Each experiment will consist of three replicated plots per entry (1.2 x 6.1 m) planted in randomized complete block design (RCBD). After harvest, clean seed samples from each plot will be provided to Cooperator for determining protein concentrations by Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy.
Developing chickpea lines and varieties with increased seed protein: The popular commercial chickpea variety ‘Sierra’, which was released by USDA in 2004, has been widely shown to have the highest seed protein concentration among commercial varieties. However, Sierra has much lower yield than more recently released varieties. USDA has developed early generation (F3) lines from crosses between Sierra and other USDA lines and commercial varieties. Seed from 250-300 F3 lines will populations will be provided to Cooperator for determining protein concentrations as described above.