Genetic mapping of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) diversity panel for mineral biofortification towards human nutrition

Authors: SALARIA, SONIA - Clemson University; BOATWRIGHT, LUCAS - Clemson University; Vandemark, George; THAVARAJAH, DIL - Clemson University

Submitted to: The Plant Genome
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2025
Publication Date: 11/16/2025
Citation: Salaria, S., Boatwright, L., Vandemark, G.J., Thavarajah, D. 2025. Genetic mapping of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) diversity panel for mineral biofortification towards human nutrition. The Plant Genome. 18(4):e70152. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70152.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70152

Interpretive Summary: Currently chickpea is the second most important pulse crop in terms of global production after dry bean. Chickpea is considered a "nutritionally dense" seed that has high concentrations of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. However, dietary deficiencies in minerals are prevalent in regions where chickpea serves as a major food source. More than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from dietary deficiencies in iron (Fe) or zinc (Zn). Developing foods with higher mineral concentrations may reduce dietary mineral deficiencies and their adverse effects on health. Parental chickpea lines that have high concentrations of minerals must be identified to make improvements through plant breeding. Breeding progress may be accelerated by identifying genetic markers that are associated with high mineral concentrations. Consequently, the objectives of this study were: 1. Evaluate a panel of diverse chickpea materials for seed concentrations of several dietary minerals, including calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), and 2. Identify genetic markers associated with seed mineral concentrations and genes involved in these traits. The percentage of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for minerals based a 100 g serving ranged from a low of approximately 9 - 28 % for Ca to a high of 134 - 296 % for Mn. Nine genetic markers were identified that were associated with concentrations of Ca, K, P, or Zn. Genes were identified that use specific minerals to help plants respond to environmental stresses and diseases. These findings suggest superior chickpea cultivars with higher concentrations of dietary minerals can be developed through plant breeding.

Technical Abstract: Chickpea is a cool-season legume with high concentrations of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. As such, chickpea can contribute to alleviating hidden hunger due to mineral deficiencies and malnutrition. A chickpea germplasm panel composed of 256 accessions with both desi and kabuli types was evaluated for calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) concentrations. Mean concentrations were determined for Ca (181.2 mg/100 g), K (971.9 mg/100 g), Mg (135.2 mg/100 g), P (383 mg/100 g), Cu (0.73 mg/100 g), Fe (5.3 mg/100 g), Mn (4.1 mg/100 g), Se (0.01 mg/100 g), and Zn (2.41 mg/100 g). Significant positive correlations were found among all minerals except for a negative correlation between Ca and K. Genomic association mapping detected nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for four minerals (Ca, K, P, and Zn). The candidate genes associated with these SNPs were pivotal to physiological pathways for plant stress response and plant health. Together, these findings show chickpea mineral biofortification can be achieved using genomic techniques and classical approaches to breed for high mineral concentrations.