Identifying chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes rich in ascorbic acid as a source of drought tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Drought stress induces a range of physiological changes in plants, including oxidative damage. Ascorbic acid (AsA), commonly known as vitamin C, is a vital non-enzymatic antioxidant capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species and modulating key physiological processes in crops under abiotic stresses like drought. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), predominantly cultivated in drought-prone regions, offers an ideal model for studying drought tolerance. We explored the potential of AsA phenotyping to enhance drought tolerance in chickpea. Using an automated phenomics facility to monitor daily soil moisture levels, we developed a protocol to screen chickpea genotypes for endogenous AsA content. The results showed that AsA accumulation peaked at 30% field capacity (FC)-when measured between 11:30

SUBMITTER: Raut D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11840068 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature