Kabuli types are mostly grown in WANA, the Americas, and Europe, while the desi types predominate in Asia, parts of Africa, and Australia. Chickpea is an important source of protein in the diets of the poor in the SAT and WANA regions, and is particularly important in vegetarian diets. Also, it is being used increasingly as a substitute for animal protein. The foliage is covered with glandular hairs which secrete highly acidic exudates, and is considered important in conferring tolerance to insect pests, such as the pod borer. Leaves are compound, arranged in an alternate phyllotary, and generally inparipinnate with 11 to 13 leaflets.
Flowers are axillary, solitary, or in inflorescence of two or three.
They are white, pink, purplish, or blue in color. The plant has a deep root system and is considered a hardy crop. Samples are available on request. Cultivation and adaptation Chickpea is grown mostly as a rainfed, postrainy season, winter crop in subtropical south Asia, parts of Africa, and Australia. It is a spring season crop in the temperate and mediterranean types of climates.