A gene influencing seed shape of desi type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

P>Chickpea is an important food legume in many developing countries. Seed characteristics, especially size, shape and colour, define the two main types ('desi' and 'kabuli') and also influence the mode of consumption and economic value. We observed two distinct seed shapes in the desi breeding line 9113-13N-2, 'rounded' and 'angular', and sought to demonstrate a genetic basis for this difference. The mode of inheritance was studied in F-1, F-2 and F-3 generations of crosses between rounded and angular single plant progeny from 9113-13N-2 and in the F-2 generation of another cross between rounded and angular parents. Rounded shape was dominant to angular shape in the F-1 generation, and a 3 rounded : 1 angular ratio was observed in the F-2 and F-3 generations. These results indicated a monogenic inheritance for seed shape in desi chickpeas. Visual differences in shape were confirmed by sphericity measurements: sphericity values for rounded seeds were significantly greater than for angular seeds. We propose the symbols Rd and rd for alleles conferring rounded and angular shape, respectively.