Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of two chickpea genotypes to identify differential DNA methylation patterns associated with drought tolerance and sensitivity

In this study, to obtain a clear picture of drought mechanism involved in two distinctive chickpea genotype, the aim was to identify the DNA methylation patterns which potentially regulate drought tolerance/sensitivity of these selected genotypes. The leaf tissues from the shoot apical meristem from drought sensitive and drought tolerant genotypes were used for RRBS (Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing) under drought stress. The sequencing data was analysed using Bismark and methylkit to recall the methylation levels in control and samples for both genotypes and identify differentially methylated regions. In our present study, RRBS sequencing was employed to identify drought-responsive differentiaton in differential methylation in chickpea leaf tissue of two genotypes ICC8261 and ICC283 to identify Differentially methylated regions related to biological, cellular and molecular pathways related to drought tolerance under drought stress. The significant methylation level difference observed between the two genotypes in shoot apical meristem leaves indicates how drought stresses affect the different mechanisms in both genotypes. In this study the emphasis was on how the regulation of epignetic modification such as DNA methylation were influenced by drought stress in the two genotypes as well as role of methylation in different context CpG,CHH,CHG.