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

The seed chemical composition and mineral element concentration were invest igated in three improved (Jubeiha-1, Jubeiha-2, Jubeiha-3) and a local Jord anian chickpea cultivars. Seed protein., fat, glucose, sucrose, starch, P, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations varied significantly among cultiv ars. Higher concentrations of fiber, starch, P, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn in Jubei ha-1 seeds; while higher concentrations of protein, fat, fructose, K, Mg, a nd Mn, in Jubeiha-3 seeds in comparison with other cultivars were noted, Th e concentrations of seed protein, fat, fiber, ash, glucose, fructose, P, Ca , Mg, Na, and Cu were significantly affected by growing season. The cultiva r x growing season interaction found to influence significantly all measure d traits except seed starch and Na concentrations in the investigated chick pea cultivars. The investigated chickpea cultivars have different genetic b ackgrounds for almost all the chemical traits tested.