Conserving and characterizing the genetic diversity of grain legumes

Description

An increase in the production and marketing of grain legumes would help to diversify diets and improve human nutrition, as well as contributing to the sustainability of cropping systems and long- term soil health. However, the projected impacts of climate change and the current local adaptation and use of these crops pose challenges to increasing production. One of the key resources for meeting these challenges through crop improvement will be the genetic diversity conserved ex situ in genebanks and in situ with farmers or in protected areas. This chapter reviews global strategies to assess the status of the major grain legume genetic resources held in ex situ collections, develop a vision of a more secure global system of conservation, and identify high- priority actions to facilitate the establishment of this global system. As an example, we focus on the characterization and exploitation of the genetic resources of chickpeas and pigeon peas.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Conservation of grain legume genetic resources: overview and global assessment of germ plasm collections 3 Conservation of grain legume genetic resources: status of ex situ conservation of grain legume genetic resources 4 Conservation of grain legume genetic resources: ex situ collections of grain legumes 5 Global ex situ conservation strategy for grain legumes 6 Characterizing the genetic diversity of chickpeas and pigeonpeas 7 Conclusion 8 References