Transgenic chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) harbouring AtDREB1a are physiologically better adapted to water deficit

Abstract Background Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) is the second most widely grown pulse and drought (limiting water) one of major constraints leading to about 40–50% yield losses annually. Dehydration responsive element binding proteins (DREBs) are important plant transcription factors that regulate expression many stress-inducible genes play a critical role in improving abiotic stress tolerance. Transgenic chickpea lines harbouring factor, Responsive Element-Binding protein 1A from Arabidopsis thaliana AtDREB1a gene) driven by inducible promoter rd29a were developed, with intent enhancing tolerance . Performance progenies transgenic event control assessed based on key physiological traits imparting such as water relation characteristics, chlorophyll retention, photosynthesis, membrane stability use efficiency under stressed conditions. Results Four generated transformation 0.1%. The integration, transmission regulated confirmed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Southern Blot hybridization Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. exhibited higher relative content, longer retention capacity osmotic adjustment severe (stress level 4), compared control. enhanced also manifested undeterred photosynthesis involving quantum PSII, electron transport rate at saturated irradiance levels maintaining content leaves relatively soil deficit. Further, lower values carbon isotope discrimination some indicated efficiency. exhibiting better OA resulted seed yield, progressive increase stress, Conclusions Based precise phenotyping, non-invasive fluorescence imaging, discrimination, adjustment, index, it can be concluded adapted deficit modifying traits. selected would valuable resource used pre-breeding or directly varietal development programs for parched