The Untapped Science of Cluster Bean Crop in the Middle Gujarat Region: Evaluation of Housekeeping Genes in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Under Drought Stress Condition

The cluster bean is botanically named Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. and belongs to the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae). It is an annual self-pollinated legume crop. Guar is one of the most important and potential vegetable cum industrial crops grown for its tender pods for vegetable purposes and seeds for endospermic galactomannan gum. Due to its deep-rooted system, short-duration, hardy and drought-resilient legume is extremely adapted to the inhospitable environment of rainfed regions. Drought is the most important abiotic factor limiting growth and thus yield adversely. The present investigation was carried out to study the evaluation of housekeeping genes for gene expression studies in cluster beans within susceptible and resistant genotypes through RT-PCR under the middle Gujarat region. Genotypes differing in degree of sensitivity to drought stress were selected. The study was conducted with the objectives screening of housekeeping genes under drought stress and also studying the differential expression of these genes through real-time PCR and bioinformatics tools followed by Physiological screening of various genotypes under water withdrawal conditions.