BIOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL EVALUTION OF LOCAL ACCESSIONES OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) FROM EX SITU COLLECTION OF IPGR – SADOVO

Abstract

In the last decades an increased interest has been observed to chickpea and its role in the healthy diet. The seeds from chickpea are food of great biological value for human because they are rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. The aim of the present study is to make biochemical and morphological evaluation of local chickpea accessiones from the National Collection. A complex biochemical evaluation of the studied accessiones of chickpea by indicators is made - crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash and absolute dry substance. Nine accessiones - six Bulgarian varieties and three local populations, are distinguished with a proven positive difference to standard by indicators crude protein and crude fiber. All of them have erect growth habit, normal leaf type, rhombic form of pods and the plants do not lay down. Two old varieties and two local populations are stood out with minimal and not proven differences by the indicator crude ash. All accessiones  are close to the standard by indicator absolute dry substance. Many of the materials have erect habitats, the plant do not lay down and have no anthocyanin pigment on it, with a cream-colored and "kabuli" shape of the seeds and are with no shattering pods.