Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
RT Shende, DN Damse, RM Shinde and RS Sengar

Abstract:
The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop that is largely grown in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Drought is the main factor having a negative impact on chickpea growth and output. Transcription factors have been identified as the primary controllers of drought tolerance. According to reports, transcription factors are the primary controllers of drought tolerance. In this study, we examined the WRKY transcription factor's expression pattern in the leaves of susceptible (Vishal; DCP-92-3) and tolerant (ICC 4958; ICC 867) genotypes of chickpeas. To evaluate the relationship between the varying levels of this gene's expression and the associated drought tolerance of these genotypes, 40 days of after irrigation withdrawal was made. Semi-quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression revealed that drought stress greatly increased WRKY. This gene's level of expression at the most recent time point was noticeably higher than in control plants when drought conditions were present. The findings indicated that this TF might be essential for drought tolerance. It might also be a gene that responds to dryness, but further research is required before it can be applied to transgenic chickpea operations.