Seed chemical composition of improved chickpea cultivars grown under semiarid Mediterranean conditions

The seed chemical composition and mineral element concentration were investigated in three improved (Jubeiha-1, Jubeiha-2, Jubeiha-3) and a local Jordanian chickpea cultivars. Seed protein., fat, glucose, sucrose, starch, P, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations varied significantly among cultivars. Higher concentrations of fiber, starch, P, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn in Jubeiha-1 seeds; while higher concentrations of protein, fat, fructose, K, Mg, and Mn, in Jubeiha-3 seeds in comparison with other cultivars were noted, The concentrations of seed protein, fat, fiber, ash, glucose, fructose, P, Ca, Mg, Na, and Cu were significantly affected by growing season. The cultivar x growing season interaction found to influence significantly all measured traits except seed starch and Na concentrations in the investigated chickpea cultivars. The investigated chickpea cultivars have different genetic backgrounds for almost all the chemical traits tested.