The impact of climate change poses serious challenges to food security. A recent study led by Wolfram Weckwerth from the University of Vienna focused on exploring the natural variation among various chickpea genotypes and their ability to withstand drought conditions. The researchers discovered that chickpeas are resilient to dry spells and have a high protein content, making them a valuable addition to grain farming systems, even in urban settings. The findings were published in the scientific journal The Plant Biotechnology.
The reality of prolonged droughts has affected Central Europe due to climate change, threatening plant productivity, harvest yields, and ultimately food security. Concurrently, there has been a decline in the diversity of plant genetics used, leading to a more uniform global food system. Although there are nearly 7,000 edible plant species, around two-thirds of food production worldwide relies solely on nine types of crops. “This limited genetic diversity can lead to various negative outcomes, including heightened vulnerability to diseases and pests, diminished drought resistance, and greater economic instability,” says molecular biologist Wolfram Weckwerth from the University of Vienna. “To adapt agriculture effectively to changing future conditions, it is essential to maintain a robust diversity in plants and genetics. Our new study represents a significant advancement in this quest, highlighting the importance of chickpeas as a vital food source for the future,” Weckwerth emphasizes.
Presently, chickpeas are not among the primary crops dominating global diets. Led by Wolfram Weckwerth, the international research team investigated the natural variations of different chickpea genotypes and their drought resistance, achieving encouraging results. The team successfully cultivated a range of chickpea varieties under drought conditions in an experimental field in the Vienna city area, showcasing that chickpeas serve as an excellent legume option with high protein content, fit for enhancing grain production in urban areas. “The distinct varieties and wild ancestors exhibit various strategies to cope with ongoing drought stress. This genetic diversity is crucial for adapting to climate change and securing the plants’ survival,” explains Weckwerth.
“For our study, we utilized a stress susceptibility index (SSI) to evaluate how drought stress affects crop yields. This method enabled us to pinpoint which genotypes excel and which do not under challenging conditions. Our results are vital for selecting genotypes suitable for breeding drought-resistant chickpeas,” says Palak Chaturvedi from the University of Vienna, the study’s lead author. The team employed artificial intelligence, multivariate statistics, and modeling to identify genetic markers and mechanisms that enhance resilience against drought stress.
“Legumes like chickpeas, known for their high protein content and drought resilience, represent a promising future food source. An additional benefit is that increasing the share of legumes in a country’s agriculture improves overall nitrogen efficiency, making farming practices more sustainable,” Weckwerth concludes.
