Contribution to Improving the Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Efficiency in Low-Phosphorus Farming Systems: Assessment of the Relationships between the P and N Nutrition, Nodulation Capacity and Productivity Performance in P-Deficient Field Conditions

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), the third largest produced pulse worldwide, is primarily grown on marginal soils often characterized by a phosphorus (P)-deficiency that severely hampers yields. The objectives of study are to investigate relationships between P-acquisition, P-use efficiency (PUE) and agronomical performances towards developing varieties tolerant P-deficiency. We evaluate impact P-deficiency growth, yield, germination nodulation seven chickpea cultivars in fields with low-P soil availability, during two seasons. adaptive mechanisms maintain physiological processes, such as nitrogen (N)-fixing nodule function, germinability, possibly photosynthesis, revealed. In contrast, large genotypic variation yield components, P N acquisition, PUE observed, supporting role nodules uptake P-deficient soils. P-acquisition utilization efficiencies genetically decoupled, suggesting designing distinct breeding strategies promote one or both components. As an outcome, we identify set adapted region scarcity, exhibit efficient metabolism superior productivity. This germplasm can be used programs for input chickpeas. contributes implementation eco-friendly farming practices while making most