Genotype-dependent responses to selenium foliar application in Chilean chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) landraces show modifications in phenolic compound composition in seeds.

Genotype-dependent selenium foliar application causes significant changes in seed production and phenolic compounds in Chilean chickpea landraces, with G5 showing a 91% increase in seed yield.

• Why it matters: Understanding how different chickpea genotypes respond to selenium is crucial for optimizing biofortification and breeding strategies to improve nutritional and agricultural outcomes.
• What they did: Researchers applied sodium selenate to five Chilean chickpea landraces at full flowering and analyzed physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses, focusing on gene expression related to detoxification, hormone signaling, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.
• The result: The study revealed distinct, genotype-specific metabolic and gene expression changes, emphasizing the importance of genetic background in selenium response and providing a foundation for targeted biofortification efforts.