Abstract
The narrow genetic base of cultivars coupled with low utilization of genetic resources are the major factors limiting grain legume production and productivity globally. Exploitation of new and diverse sources of variation is needed for the genetic enhancement of grain legumes. Wild relatives with enhanced levels of resistance/tolerance to multiple stresses provide important sources of genetic diversity for crop improvement. However, their exploitation for cultivar improvement is limited by cross-incompatibility barriers and linkage drags. Pre-breeding provides a unique opportunity, through the introgression of desirable genes from wild germplasm into genetic backgrounds readily used by the breeders with minimum linkage drag, to overcome this. Pre-breeding activities using promising landraces, wild relatives, and popular cultivars have been initiated at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to develop new gene pools in chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut with a high frequency of useful genes, wider adaptability, and a broad genetic base. The availability of molecular markers will greatly assist in reducing linkage drags and increasing the efficiency of introgression in pre-breeding programs.
Highlights
Grain legumes are second in importance to human and animal diets after cereals and occupy an important place in the world’s food and nutrition economy
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India is working for the genetic improvement of three major grain legumes, i.e., chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan Millsp.), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Low grain legume productivity due to biotic/abiotic stresses coupled with limited genetic variation in the cultivated gene pool necessitates the identification and utilization of diverse germplasm sources to develop new high-yielding cultivars with a broad genetic base
Summary
Grain legumes are second in importance to human and animal diets after cereals and occupy an important place in the world’s food and nutrition economy. Low grain legume productivity due to biotic/abiotic stresses coupled with limited genetic variation in the cultivated gene pool necessitates the identification and utilization of diverse germplasm sources to develop new high-yielding cultivars with a broad genetic base.
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