Research Projects

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), is a key legume crop that provides a vital source of protein, fiber, vitamins and micronutrients for millions of people, particularly in India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and other semi-arid regions (Wood & Grusak, 2007). As a major component of global food security and nutritional sustainability, chickpea is cultivated across 57 countries. Despite its global significance, chickpea productivity remains severely constrained, with global yields averaging only ~931 kg/ha (FAOSTAT 2012), primarily due to recurring abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, and waterlogging. Climate change is expected to intensify these stresses, further threatening chickpea production and the livelihood of millions of smallholder farmers (Gaur et al., 2012). Improving chickpea's resilience to abiotic stresses is therefore a pressing global challenge. Protein kinases, especially serine/threonine protein kinases (STPKs), are central to plant stress signaling networks, regulating key physiological and biochemical responses under adverse conditions. While several kinase families have been identified in chickpea through genomic and transcriptomic studies, the specific functional role of many STPKs under stress remains largely unexplored This project aims to systematically identify, characterize and functionally validate key STPKs involved in abiotic stress tolerance in chickpea. By integrating genome-wide analyses, transcriptomics and in silico annotation with targeted experimental validation using gene overexpression and knockout approaches, this research will uncover novel regulatory components of chickpea’s stress response pathways. Protein interaction networks and downstream signalling cascades will also be explored to provide a comprehensive understanding of STPK-mediated stress adaptation. The knowledge generated will not only advance our understanding of stress signaling in legumes but will also directly contribute to the development of climate-resilient chickpea cultivars. The outcomes have significant potential for translational applications in breeding programs, supporting national and global efforts to ensure food security, stabilize farmer incomes, and promote sustainable agriculture under changing climatic conditions.

Abiotic stress, chickpea, functional genomics, protein kinases, stress signaling pathways, STPKs