Chickpea transcriptomics: insights into stress responses and future applications

Transcriptomics, a cornerstone of modern genomics, plays a pivotal role in deciphering gene expression patterns and understanding complex biological processes. Among legume crops, Cicer arietinum (chickpea) ranks as the third most important globally, following soybean and lentil, and serves as a vital source of dietary protein and essential nutrients. Over the past two decades, transcriptomic research on chickpea has advanced remarkably, transitioning from earlier methods such as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS has revolutionized chickpea genomics research, enabling the identification of key genes, regulatory pathways, and adaptive mechanisms in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. Recent studies have also highlighted the pivotal roles of small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), in stress signaling and adaptation. This review synthesizes the progress in chickpea transcriptomics, showcasing its potential in unravelling genetic mechanisms underlying stress resilience and agronomic improvement. Emerging tools, including single-cell RNA sequencing and integrative multi-omics approaches, hold promise for accelerating the development of climate-resilient and high-yielding chickpea varieties. Such advancements are essential for addressing global food security challenges and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change.