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- An international team led by the Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has identified genes for tolerance to drought and heat in chickpeas. The study has also mapped the origins of chickpea and its ascent in Asia and Africa.
- The study is a significant breakthrough as amidst rising temperatures and increasing climatic fluctuations due to climate change, the climate-resistant genes will help in developing newer chickpea varieties which can tolerate higher temperatures.
- Further, the identification of other genes with important agromic traits will help in increasing the yield. It would also provide better resistance to pests and diseases.
- The study has also confirmed that chickpea came to India from Fertile Crescent/ Mediterranean via Afghanistan. It may have been introduced back to the primary centres of origin after 200 years. It has further speculated about the possible introduction of chickpea to the New World directly from Central Asia or East Africa, rather than the Mediterranean.
- Chickpea is a legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. More than 90% of chickpea cultivation area is in South Asia, including India. In India, chickpea is generally sown in September-October and harvested in January-February.



