On a global scale, chickpeas hold the position of being the third most significant pulse crop in terms of production, following dry beans and field peas [1]. Chickpeas are characterized by their high nutritional value. It contains a relatively low amount of digestible carbohydrates, ranging from 40 % to 60 %, and is rich in protein, comprising 15 % to 22 % of its composition. Essential fats, which are crucial for the body, make up approximately 4 % to 8 % [2]. The longevity of seeds is a crucial characteristic that plays a substantial role in the conservation of germplasm through ex-situ methods. Agricultural productivity can be hindered by the poor germination of aged crop seeds, leading to negative impacts on seedling growth and ultimately reducing yield [3,4]. Seed aging leads to delayed germination, a decreased germination rate, and a potential loss of viability. This can occur naturally or be induced through accelerated aging methods, such as increasing relative humidity and moisture content. Many physiological, cellular, biochemical, and metabolic changes have been documented in previous investigations of seed storage. Seed storability has been linked to processes such as lipid peroxidation, enzyme inactivation, cellular membrane disruption, reduced energy generation, problems in protein synthesis, degradation of DNA RNA, and also reduces the redox homeostasis [5,6]. In addition, chickpea seeds exhibit a high degree of sensitivity to aging, which presents a significant challenge in terms of their storage, particularly in regions characterized by humid tropical climates [3]. Seeds are vulnerable to oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) during storage, which affects both seed viability and germination rate [7]. ROS plays significant roles throughout the entire lifespan of a seed, encompassing processes such as germination (embryogenesis) and programmed cell death (PCD). Seed physiology relies heavily on reactive oxygen species ROS because of their ability to promote cell growth and development at low concentrations and to induce cell death at higher concentrations [8]. Various factors, including the seed's metabolic and physiological status, influence the rate of ROS formation and accumulation. The mitochondria, glyoxysomes, and plasma membrane NADPH oxidases are likely the primary ROS producers in the hydrated state (which occurs after imbibition), whereas, in the dry state, Amadori and/or Maillard processes and related lipid peroxidation mechanisms are likely to be the primary sources of ROS generation [9,10]. The DNA and proteins are more susceptible to damage from the highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) than they are from the much less reactive superoxide radicals (•O2 and H2O2 [11,12,13]. Proteomics has emerged as a valuable tool in seed research, enabling protein identification and gene function analysis. Proteomics is a potent technique for detecting changes in protein composition in response to developmental or environmental stimuli. The viability decline of Arabidopsis seeds is associated with alterations in protein composition in dry seeds and an impaired ability of low-viability seeds to establish a typical proteome during the process of germination [13]. Lipocalins are multifunctional proteins that are known to carry small lipophilic substances and protect the plants from multiple abiotic stresses by preventing lipid peroxidation [14]. The temperature-induced lipocalin (CaTIL) gene was selected from the differentially abundant proteins for the study and hasn't been thoroughly studied in connection with seed aging.

The focus of this investigation was an examination of the physiological, biochemical, and proteomics and metabolomics analyses that were performed compared to the control. The subcellular localization of CaTIL was confirmed for further molecular characterization. Here, we explore how the chickpea seed's proteome is involved in the seed aging process. The identified differentially abundant protein might be used to develop high-vigor seeds.