Development of product profile for target-oriented accelerated breeding in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) breeding in India, dating back to more than a century, has significantly contributed to increased production by developing many high-yielding, stress resistant varieties with desirable seed quality and market preference traits. However, with ever increasing pressure for further improvement, there is a need to make the varietal development process consumer-oriented, catering to present and near future demands. The development of new varieties has direct implications on national chickpea yields, affecting the food/feed availability and nutritional balance from the consumer’s perspective and livelihood security from the growers’ perspective. The national breeding programs need to formally align by prioritizing the essential and desirable traits, benchmarks and a product development timeline. In the present study we have described the development of a Product Profile of chickpeas suitable for different crop ecologies in the country, which may act as a blueprint for varietal development. There is a need to strike a balance between present and near future demands and therefore, the pros and cons of such an approach and their possible implications on future chickpea breeding was also discussed.