Cicer arietinum - Importance, Distribution, Use and Breeding Guidelines

The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a plant species of the genus Cicereae, is a member of the Fabaceae family subfamily Papilionaceae. It is grown in more than 55 countries, primarily in regions with dry soil and climate. Today, chickpeas are grown throughout the Americas, the Middle East, Australia, South Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe. After the common bean, it is the second most widely grown leguminous crop worldwide. The study briefly reviews the origin, distribution, nutritional value and use of Cicer arietinum, as well as its importance under conditions of changing climate, deepening food insecurity and fodder deficit. Its main characteristics as a food and forage crop, and some of its advantages compared to other leguminous crops, are presented. The main methods and guidelines of chickpea breeding, as well as the prospects for its cultivation worldwide and in Bulgaria are also discussed.