A set of chickpea germplasm were screened for their response to heat stress at ICRISAT and heat tolerant accessions were identified. This identified subset provides heat stress tolerant chickpea accessions available at ICRISAT genebank for their utilization in the chickpea crop improvement.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important grain-legume crop in the world, cultivated mostly in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. Chickpea is a rich source of quality protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins. Several biotic and abiotic stresses, significantly contribute to the fluctuations in the yield. Chickpea is essentially a cool season crop and is sensitive to heat stress. High temperature during the reproductive phase adversely affects seed germination, photosynthesis, membrane stability, nutrient absorption, protoplasmic movement hormone activity, fertilization and pod set, pod development, seed set, and seed quality.