Identification of Aluminum Tolerance in Ethiopian Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major abiotic stress that negatively impacts plant growth and crop productivity. Al ions are released into soil solutions as function of pH, which in turn determined by combination factors, including local geology, historic vegetation land-use patterns. Selection use Al-tolerant crops preferred method to address the problem toxicity. The present study evaluated modern cultivars, advanced breeding lines landrace for tolerance using seedling-based hydroponic assay. Two sequential experiments were conducted score root shoot traits presence aluminum. Initially, six concentrations (0, 50, 100, 120, 150 200 µM) tested on chickpea genotypes identify single concentration best discriminates among genotypes. Subsequently, 31 at 0 120 µM Al. Progressive declines trait values observed all with increasing Al, although degree sensitivity varied significantly Genotypes both total length under relative compared control treatment. Considering parameters, we identified four tolerant (DZ-2012-CK-0237, Wollega LV, DZ-2012-CK-0233 Natoli) two sensitive (Akaki Fetenech). LV obtained from acidic regions Western Ethiopia, presenting possibility historical selection during cultivation soils might underlie its unusual tolerance. aluminum here candidates introgression new Ethiopian varieties potential increase yield expand area cultivation.