Drought significantly hampers plant growth and yield, prompting evolution of various mechanisms by plants to cope with such stress, with a focus on microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators of gene expression under these conditions.
In a study of five chickpea genotypes, differential expression of specific miRNAs was observed under drought and normal conditions, showing that some miRNAs (miRNA414 and miRNA528) increase under drought stress, while others (like miRNA418 and miRNA396) were higher under well-watered conditions.
The research also noted variations in nitrogen and protein content across genotypes under drought, particularly highlighting that the Arda genotype had increased nitrogen and protein levels, while others showed reductions, suggesting complex regulatory interactions mediated by