Dr Raul Gimenez1,2,3, Dr Lachlan Lake1, Dr C. Mariano Cossani1,4, Dr. Fernanda Dreccer5, Dr Bob French6, Professor Jim Weller2, Dr Raul Ortega Martinez2, Dr Julie Hayes1,4, Prof. Victor Sadras1,4
1South Australian Research & Development Institute, Australia, 2University of Tasmania, Australia, 3CONICET, Argentina, 4University of Adelaide, Australia, 5Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia, 6Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Australia
Biography:
– Agronomist, MSc and PhD from University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
– Researcher at CONICET (National Research Council of Argentina).
– Visiting researcher at South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) and PhD candidate at University of Tasmania.
– Postdoctoral fellow at University of Queensland
– Currently working on chickpea and lentil phenology.
Abstract:
This study analysed the influence of genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (GxE) on chickpea phenology and yield, with 24 varieties grown in diverse Australian environments (three sites in QLD, SA, and WA, under two sowing times and two seasons). Grain yield, ranging from 5 to 580 g/m2, showed no direct association with phenological traits. Shoot biomass (85 – 2200 g/m2), associated positively with water availability (r2 = 0.93, p<0.0001), and harvest index (ranging 2.5 to 55%) was negatively related to the onset of podding (r2 = 0.62, p<0.0001). Time to podding depended on both flowering time (r = 0.74, p<0.001) and the flowering-to-podding interval (r = 0.77, p<0.001), which were influenced by distinct factors. Photoperiod response explained GxE effects on flowering time, which ranged from 650 °Cd to 1160 °Cd, (R2 = 0.73, p<0.001), whereas a "winter syndrome" (low temperature, radiation, and high humidity) impacted the flowering-to-podding interval, that ranged from 100 °Cd under favourable conditions to over 600 °Cd in conditions conducive to flower abortion. This work highlights the importance of the onset of podding, rather than just flowering time, as a crucial phenological trait for chickpea adaptation in Australian environments.