Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a highly valued crop that its growth and productivity are severely affected by drought stress. At the molecular level, chickpea plants activate genes and signaling pathways involved in drought and salt stress tolerance. One such mechanism involves the expression of rare cold inducible 2 (RCI2) proteins. The aim of this study was to examine the significance of RCI2 expression for drought resistance in chickpea. Hence, seeds of drought-tolerant (MCC877) and sensitive (MCC588) genotypes were evaluated in the three level of drought stress. The results indicated that drought stress reduced significantly total chlorophyll, RWC, and increased electro leakage, MDA, and improved activity of CAT, SOD, and APX. The molecular analysis suggested four RCI2 genes including RCI2A, RCI2B, RCI2B-like, and RCI2F in chickpeas. The comparison between two genotypes of chickpeas, one drought-tolerant and the other sensitive to drought, revealed that the tolerant genotype could enhance the stability of the cell membrane and moderate reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. This is achieved by improving the proline content, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and especially by increasing the expression of RCI2 genes, compared to the sensitive genotypes. The expression RCI2A, RCI2B, RCI2B-like, and RCI2F genes in drought-tolerant genotypes was about 68 %, 48 %, 27 %, and 42 % higher than drought-sensitive after 16 h of severe water limitation. This suggests that the expression of RCI2 genes in chickpeas might enhance the plant's ability to scavenge ROS, thereby conferring tolerance to drought stresses.
