Genetic options for enhancing productivity of major pulses – retrospect, issues and strategies

India is the largest producer (14–15 million tonnes) and consumer of pulses. In recent years, shift in pulses area from northern to central and southern India has been observed. Large number of varieties of different pulse crops have been developed for cultivation in different states of the country; however, the desired level of increment in productivity could not be achieved owing to various genetic, agronomic, crop health, socioeconomic reasons including large fluctuations in price at farmers’ doorstep and market during off-seasons and climate change. Policy change at government level has led to marginal increase in production and productivity levels during the last decade. To meet the growing demand of pulses, among various options available including crop management and horizontal expansion, the most viable and economical option is genetic enhancement for grain yield. The narrow genetic base has to be dealt in proper perspective especially to bring together high yielding genes from wild relatives and land races. It will also help in minimizing vulnerability of pulses to different biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present article, attempts have been made to review the accomplishments made in pulses improvement and major genetic issues dealing with low productivity and strategies for genetic enhancement of yield of different pulse crops have been suggested.