Advances in biotechnological applications in three important food legumes

Abstract

Legumes are the third largest family of flowering plants, known for their unique capacity of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The draft genome sequences of three important food legumes [soybean (Glycine max), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)] have been completed. Coupled with a deluge of information on transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, they present a huge amount of genomic resources for the genetic improvement of legume crops. Developed molecular markers, structurally and functionally annotated genes/quantitative trait loci/alleles and regulatory sequences can be utilized in improvement breeding programmes. Further, the genetic transformation of two valuable pulses (chickpea and pigeonpea) has now taken centre stage, realizing the potential of genetically modified soybean, for enhanced prospects of food production. Together, the advances in biotechnological tools and the research community’s capacity to develop imaginative strategies will help in framing a legume development programme for ensuring the nutritional security of the world.