Biotech Updates

Australia Conducts World's Largest Chickpea Experiment on Drought Resistance

August 20, 2014

Researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA)'s Institute of Agriculture are conducting the world's largest chickpea experiment on drought resistance. The project, led by Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique aims to understand how chickpea adapts to terminal drought, experienced in most seasons in southern Australia.

Based on results from previous research, 10 lines of chickpea with similar flowering times were selected for preliminary studies. These lines were used to investigate physiological and biochemical mechanisms for adaptation to terminal drought in the UWA glasshouse. The lines will be studied for drought resistance, including leaf water potential, gas exchange characteristics, seed filling rate, the role of abscisic acid, and key enzymes in seed development.

For more details about this research, read the news release available at: http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201408146897/world-s-largest-drought-resistance-experiment-chickpeas-under-way-uwa.