The DNA replication, repair, and recombination pathway genes modulating yield and stress tolerance traits in chickpea

Abstract

DNA replication, repair, and recombination (DRRR) are the fundamental processes required for faithful transmission of genetic information within and between generations. The DRRR genes protect the cells from potential mutations and damage during the developmental phases and stress conditions. Thus, these genes indirectly regulate diverse important agronomic traits in a crop plant. A genome-wide survey of six DRRR pathway genes, namely, DNA replication, Base Excision Repair, Nucleotide Excision Repair, Homologous Recombination, Mismatch Excision Repair, and Non-Homologous End-Joining, identifed 157 DRRR genes in chickpea. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes within the legume clades and model plant Arabidopsis identifed 42 conserved DRRR genes exhibiting clade-specifc evolutionary patterns. Integrating the gene-based association mapping with diferential expression profling identifed the natural alleles of the potential DRRR genes, primarily regulating fowering and maturation time and involved in drought tolerance of chickpea. Identifying and understanding DRRR genes’ roles in regulating yield and stress tolerance traits in a vital grain legume like chickpea is requisite for its future crop improvement endeavors. Manipulation of promising functionally relevant DRRR genes will pave the way for simultaneous improvement in multiple benefcial agronomic traits in chickpea.