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Background: The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford and Oliveiro) have been found consistently associated with plant damage and reduced yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), important pulse (grain legume) crop of India. Methods: Seeds of chickpea were soaked in S, S/2, S/4 extracts of rice polish and 0.1, 0.3, 0.5% solution of pyridoxine for 4 h. Four treated seeds were sown in each pot. Three week old plants were inoculated with 5000 M. incognita or R. reniformis larvae. Result: The root-knot nematode M. incognita and reniform nematode, R. reniformis caused significant reduction in different growth parameters (length and weight of plant, number of pods), chlorophyll content of leaf and water absorption of roots. Similar effects were also observed in plants raised from seeds soaked in different concentrations of water soluble fractions (WSF) of rice polish and pyridoxine solutions, however, the reductions were of comparatively lesser extent. Higher concentrations of the solutions were more effective as compared to lower ones and pyridoxine was more beneficial than WSF for improving plant growth and reducing disease incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), one of the major pulse crops in India, endured extreme reduction in production due to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytic bacteria residing in the nodules and roots of chickpea plants enable host in combating these stresses. Twenty one endophytic bacteria isolated from nodules and roots of chickpea were screened for multiple plant growth promoting traits like ammonia, organic acid, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and phytohormone indole acetic acid (IAA) production. Out of these, 86% isolates produced ammonia, around 50% isolates produced organic acid, HCN and siderophore, 29% isolates produced ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase, while only 14% isolates solubilized phosphate. Interestingly, all the isolates were able to produce IAA ranging from 11.6–85.2 μg/ml, isolate CPJN 13 being the maximum IAA producer (85.5±2.33 μg/ml). Isolate CPJN13 was selected for IAA optimization studies. The yield of IAA increased up to 4 fold i.e. 331±4.96 μg/ml at optimized conditions. IAA production was also confirmed by TLC and HPLC analysis of crude IAA extract. The application of CPJN13 on chickpea seedlings resulted in significant increase in plant growth parameters. The 16S rDNA sequencing of CPJN13 revealed its similarity with Pseudomonas lini strain and submitted to NCBI with accession number MF574502. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of P. lini as endophyte in chickpea nodules. The results of this study imply that the endophytic P. lini has a potential role to enhance the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed treatment with pesticides is one of the components of IPM. Pesticides, the chemical ingredients are generally used to assassinate biological entities that cause damage to cultivated crops. To maintain the quantity and quality of the plant produce, a large number of chemicals in the form of pesticides and/or fungicides are sprayed on them. Although these compounds affect the growth of seedlings and also negatively influence the growth of symbiotic bacteria and their interaction with crop plants resulting in a reduction in nitrogen fixation by plants and ultimately yield. A study on the consequences of chemical pesticides on seed germination and seedling growth of Cicer arietinum was carried out at Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2016. The present study was done to assess the effect of pesticides on root length, shoot length, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight of seedlings. The experiment was conducted by using different concentrations viz., 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of organophosphorus monocrotophos and pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin. Observations were done on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of radicle emergence. The study showed that both types of pesticides such as pyrethroid deltamethrin and organophosphorus monocrotophos were found to be toxic to plants in high concentrations and can be preferred in low concentrations such as 0.5%, which is less harmful to crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses are widely consumed as a source of protein along with cereals. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the oldest and cultivated major pulse crop in India. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber along with micronutrients. Its importance and utilization for several health ailments have been mentioned in ancient manuscripts and the ayurvedic system of medicine. This review gives an outline of the available literature on production, nutritional composition, bioactive components along with their health benefits and processing techniques used for the development of chickpea-based food products. Applications of chickpea in different food systems are included. Bioavailability of chickpea protein in the human body is higher as compared to other pulses. Chickpea protein hydrolysates have antioxidant and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-I (ACE-I) inhibitory properties. α- Galacto oligosaccharides present in chickpea act as prebiotic because they are indigestible and are fermented by the colonic bacteria resulting in the formation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are reported to have potential health benefits. Although chickpea contains only 2.70–6.50% fat, it is an important source of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic and oleic acid. Isoflavones and carotenoids are the major bioactive compounds present in chickpea. Chickpea has potential health benefits such as prevention of cardiovascular disease, hypo-cholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, and anti-inflammatory activity. Processing of chickpea before consumption results in the elimination of anti-nutritional factors. Germination, roasting, and extrusion results in an increase in in-vitro starch and protein digestibility. Chickpea protein isolates can be effectively used for encapsulation of flaxseed oil and folate. • Summarized the role of chickpea as functional food with potential health benefits. • Having edge of chickpea nutrients and phytochemicals over other legumes. • Comprehensive overview on the applications of chickpea in different food systems. • Illustrated the processing techniques of chickpea-based food products. • Protein rich and low glycaemic index of sattu may be a potential nutrient vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was carried out to identify and characterize the phytoplasma and viruses associated with the chickpea varieties showing severe stunting, leaf reddening, yellowing and phyllody symptoms during the summer season of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 in eight states of India. The average disease incidence was recorded from 3 to 32% in different states. The presence of chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV) was confirmed in thirty-seven chickpea samples by amplification of CpCDV coat protein gene and sequence comparison analysis. No record of association of luteovirus, polerovirus and cucumovirus could be detected in any of the symptomatic chickpea samples by RT-PCR assay. Brassica nigra, B. juncea, Lens culinaris, two weeds (Heteropogan contartus, Aeschynomene virginica) and one leafhopper (Amarasca biguttula) were identified as new putative hosts for CpCDV. Association of peanut witches' broom phytoplasma was confirmed in twenty-eight chickpea samples, Sesamum indicum, five weeds hosts and two leafhopper species (Exitianus indicus, Empoasca motti) using nested PCR assays with primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16Rn. The results of phytoplasma association in plants and leafhopper samples were further validated by using five multilocus genes (secA, rp, imp, tuf and secY) specific primers. Sequence comparison, phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA gene and five multilocus genes confirmed the identity of association of 16SrII-C and 16SrII-D subgroups of phytoplasmas strain with chickpea samples collected from Andhra Pradesh (AP), Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. Mixed infection of phytoplasma (16SrII-D) and CpCDV was also detected in symptomatic chickpea samples from AP and Telangana. The reports of association of 16SrII-C subgroup phytoplasma in chickpea and 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasma in C. sparsiflora and C. roseus are the new host records in world and from India, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of diverse germplasm is required to enhance the genetic variability of cultivars. Opportunity to generate favorable gene combinations can be provided by genetically diverse lines; thus, the probability of creating unique cultivars increases. Genetic diversity analysis of chickpea can give important indications for understanding species relationships and may help in developing and planning breeding programs. Thus, the present investigation was performed to assess the genetic diversity in 125 cultivars of chickpea of Indian origin, among which 42 are resistant and 13 are susceptible to Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight. Out of 40 ISSR primers, 26 primers generated 213 polymorphic loci. On average, 9 loci per marker were found; among these, 8 were polymorphic. The average polymorphic information content was 0.72, ranging from 0.26 to 0.91. The resolving power of the ISSR primers varied from 0.34 to 10.24. Cluster analysis using the UPGMA algorithm showed 3 major clusters, supported by STRUCTURE analysis. Genetic diversity analysis in terms of Shannon's index and Nei's gene diversity for resistant, susceptible, and miscellaneous cultivars revealed higher values for miscellaneous cultivars, indicating more variability among these cultivars in comparison to resistant and susceptible cultivars. AMOVA results among groups and among cultivars were 6% and 94%, respectively, while the estimated gene flow was 8.964. These values indicated high genetic variability among the studied cultivars and can be used to select good parental material in breeding programs and determine its correlation with the relationships based on pedigree data and morphological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea+mustard is a prominent intercropping system in Indian sub continent. The majority of the farmers adopt this system under resource constraint conditions. The integrated applications of fertilizers with organic compost and biofertilizers are considered essential for the sustainability of a system. Looking to lack of information on this aspect, a study was undertaken on ‘Typic Ustochrept’ soils found commonly in the North Plain Zone of India. Results revealed that integrated nutrient application (INA) [50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+FYM at 5 t ha-1+biofertilizers (Rhizobium+PSB)] significantly enhanced average plant height, crop biomass, leaf area index, number and dry weight of root nodules of chickpea and plant height and crop biomass in mustard as compared to control. INA also produced significantly more grain and biological yield of chickpea and mustard and more chickpea equivalent yield (2664 kg ha-1) and net return (US $617 ha-1) as compared to control grown under intercropping system. INA also significantly increased the NPK content in shoot and grain of chickpea and mustard as compared to control causing significantly higher total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in chickpea and mustard. This treatment also made available more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil after the harvest of crop in comparison to chickpea+mustard intercropping system under moisture stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antagonistic activity and root colonizing behaviour of 10 Trichoderma isolates collected from different agro-ecological zone of West Bengal were evaluated. Of these, T. viride from Bishnupur (red and lateritic zone) and T. roseum of Alipurduar (terai zone) were most prominent showing superior antagonistic effects and fast growth; both overgrew Rhizoctonia solani after 3 days of incubation in dual culture. Production of volatile and non-volatile substances was highest for T. viride of Falakata (terai) origin as evidenced by the greatest mycelial growth inhibition in R. solani, followed by T. roseum from Alipurduar. The highest growth stimulation of the antagonist by both exudates and extract of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum Linn.) roots was found in T. harzianum of Kalyani (new alluvial zone) source. This isolate, however, was not only antagonistic to the pathogen, but also colonized the rhizosphere and maintained high population growth (224 x 106 cfu g-1 of soil at 30 days after sowing). Conversely, very low rhizosphere colonizing ability was found in T. roseum collected from Bardhaman's old alluvial zone. Colonization of non-rhizospheric soil by Trichoderma isolate was very low compared to that of rhizosphere (81.33 x 106 cfu g-1 of soil at 20 days after sowing for T. virens from Kalimpong hill zone). Significantly, the isolates showing high antagonism were not always highly rhizosphere competent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance of mixed microbial anaerobic culture in treating synthetic wastewater with high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and varying atrazine concentration was studied. Performance of hybrid reactors with wood charcoal as adsorbent, with a dose of 10 g/l and 40 g/l, along with the microbial mass was also studied. All the reactors were operated in sequential mode with Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 5 days. In all the cases, COD removal after 5 days was found to be above 81%. Initial COD was above 1000 mg/l. From a hybrid reactor COD removal after 2 days was observed to be 90%. Atrazine reduction after 5 days by microbial mass alone was 43.8%, 40% and 33.2% with an initial concentration of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/1 respectively. MLSS on all the cases were almost same. Increasing MLSS concentration by about 2 fold did not increase the atrazine removal efficiency significantly. Maximum atrazine removal was observed to be 64% from the hybrid reactor with 10 g/l of wood charcoal and 69.4% from the reactor with 40 g/l of wood charcoal. Atrazine removal from the hybrid reactors after 15 days were observed to be 35.7% and 38.7%, which showed that the higher dose of wood charcoal in hybrid reactor did not improve the atrazine removal efficiency significantly. Specific methanogenic activity test showed no inhibitory effect of atrazine on methane producing bacteria. The performance of anaerobic microorganisms in removing atrazine with no external carbon source and inorganic nitrogen source was studied in batch mode. With an initial concentration of 1.0 mg/1, reduction of atrazine by the anaerobic microorganisms in absence of external carbon source after 35 days was observed to be 61.8% where as in absence of external carbon and inorganic nitrogen source the reduction was only 44.2% after 150 days. Volatilization loss of atrazine was observed to be insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]