Genomics, genetics and breeding of tropical legumes for better livelihoods of smallholder farmers

Abstract

Legumes are important components of sustainable agricultural production, food, nutrition and income systems of developing countries. In spite of their importance, legume crop production is challenged by a number of biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic stresses (heat, frost, drought and salinity), edaphic factors (associated with soil nutrient deficits) and policy issues (where less emphasis is put on legumes compared to priority starchy staples). Significant research and development work have been done in the past decade on important grain legumes through collaborative bilateral and multilateral projects as well as the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes (CRP‐GL). Through these initiatives, genomic resources and genomic tools such as draft genome sequence, resequencing data, large‐scale genomewide markers, dense genetic maps, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and diagnostic markers have been developed for further use in multiple genetic and breeding applications. Also, these mega‐initiatives facilitated release of a number of new varieties and also dissemination of on‐the‐shelf varieties to the farmers. More efforts are needed to enhance genetic gains by reducing the time required in cultivar development through integration of genomics‐assisted breeding approaches and rapid generation advancement.

Wild Vigna Legumes: Farmers’ Perceptions, Preferences, and Prospective Uses for Human Exploitation

“…The ignorance of the wild legumes by the majority of participants in the two study sites may be due to the high and long-term distribution of bred, improved, and landrace varieties of legumes that led to the disappearance, rejection, and negligence of the original wild legumes [2]. However, the numerous challenges (biotic, abiotic, and policy) faced by the improved varieties have recently raised scientific concerns [3]. Therefore, it might be important to go back to the wild and investigate other legumes with good characteristics in relation to their acceptability in order to mitigate the global food insecurity challenge, as pointed out by earlier reports [27].…”

“…Some of the most commonly domesticated, grown, and commercialized legumes such as soybeans, cowpeas, common beans, and other forms have demonstrated considerable contribution to the global food security [2]. Yet, their production rate remains unsatisfying compared with their consumption rate due to biotic and abiotic challenges [3]. Therefore, there is a need to look for alternatives.…”

Agro-Morphological Exploration of Some Unexplored Wild Vigna Legumes for Domestication

“…Those few domesticated ones have incontestably proven to be of crucial nutritional value for both humans and animals due to their protein content, causing them to be recognized as the second most valuable plant source of nutrients [6]. Despite their positive impact on global food and nutrition security, it has also been reported that their production rate remains unsatisfying, as compared with their consumption rate, due to biotic and abiotic challenges [7]. Therefore, there is a need to look for sustainable alternative strategies to improve and diversify their production.…”

Advances in Crop Improvement and Delivery Research for Nutritional Quality and Health Benefits of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

“…Once superior groundnut varieties with improved nutritional quality (high oleic acid, low allergenic properties, low aflatoxin producing) are developed and released, sustained multi-sectoral participatory efforts of groundnut scientists, nutritionists, public health experts, socio-economists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), policy makers from the governments, and civil society champions is needed to develop functional delivery models that improve effectiveness of various production-to-consumption value chains (Ojiewo et al, 2019).…”