Breeding for Yield and Other Attributes in Grain Legumes

It has been suggested that in planning genetic improvement programmes on grain legumes, it is important to take into consideration the fact that these crops, as they have been traditionally grown in most developing countries, are more a product of natural than human selection. This explains both their present low yields and the tremendous possibilities which they offer from their genetic upgrading in future. Development of high yielding varieties of these crops for a higher level of management requires a genetic reconstruction of the existing plant types, more specifically in favour of a vastly increased harvest index. The rationale of this approach, based on observations on dry matter production, grain yields, and the grains/straw ratio of the existing cultivars, has been described. Also the lessons which we can learn in this regard from recent advances in the genetic improvement of wheat and rice have been emphasised.

Experimental approaches for the development of grain legume varieties for high yields, multiple cropping, fertiliser response, disease resistance, and high protein content have been discussed. The possibilities of selection for a high harvest index have been considered in this context. Also, the role of classical and some of the modern methods of crop improvement has been examined.-Lastly, a summary of some of the recent work on the improvement of pulses in India has been given