Broadening the Genetic Base of Lentil in South Asia.

Cultivation of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) in South Asia dates back to around 2000 BC. Because of its nutritive value, soil ameliorative properties and suitability to the existing cropping systems, it attains the status of main pulse crop in the region. Today, about half of the world’s lentil is grown in South Asia for human food, animal feed, and diversification and intensification of cropping systems. However, the indigenous lentils are of a specific ecotype (pilosae) which lack marked variability for morphological, phenological and yield traits, and resistance to key stresses. The narrow genetic base which limited the breeding progress in the region for a long time has been widened through introduction of exotic germplasm and their use in hybridization programs. The progenies developed through diverse crosses have led to the selection of transgressive segregants with enormous variability for crop duration, seed traits, plant height, growth habit, biomass production, resistance to rust, Stemphylium blight, drought tolerance, etc. The promising progenies have led to the development of 26 lentil varieties in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Additionally, 150 elite genetic stocks with specific traits have been identified and conserved in genebanks for utilization in breeding programs. Some of these cultivars with diverse genetic background are adapted to new niches emerging in the context of climate change, consumers’ preference and market opportunities. Adoption and impact of these varieties have enhanced farmer’s income, national production, and is contributing to food and nutritional security to the people of South Asia.