Chilling effects during seed filling on accumulation of seed reserves and yield of chickpea

Abstract

Abstract Chilling (<15 °C) during the reproductive phase of chickpea leads to abortion of flowers and pods, infertile pods, smaller seeds and reduced seed yields. In the present study, effects of chilling during seed development were evaluated on accumulation of seed reserves and yield parameters in an extra early maturing chickpea genotype ICCV 96 029. Relative to control plants (17/28 °C mean minimum/maximum temperature), those subjected to cold stress (5/13 °C mean minimum/maximum temperature) showed a marked increase in electrolyte leakage, while cellular respiration (assessed as 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction activity), chlorophyll content, relative leaf water content and rate and duration of seed filling decreased significantly. In cold‐stressed plants, seed number per 100 pods, seed weight per plant, average seed weight and average seed size decreased by 35, 43, 41 and 24% respectively. Seed reserves of starch, protein and fat decreased by 34, 33 and 43% respectively, while total soluble sugars increased twofold. The accumulation of storage proteins such as globulins and albumins was inhibited to a greater extent than that of prolamins and glutelins. Most of the amino acids decreased as a result of stress, while some such as proline and glutamic acid increased significantly. Among the minerals examined, phosphorus content decreased more than calcium and iron contents. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry