This document corresponds to the report entitled, "Consultancy on faba benas Viciafaba L.) and lentils (Lens culinaris Med.), contracted by International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), for the purpose of reviewing the current situation of these species in Latin American, as well as compiling the most relevant literature produced by the countries that conduct research on these crops in the region. This report contains: an analysis of the current situation of lentils and faba beans in South America with regard to production zones, area under cultivation, production, yield, uses, markets, production constraints, etc; an analysis of the research in diferent countries-importance, objectives, national programs, need and results-and a proposal in the form of recommendation for developing the bases for future actions for improving research on lentils and faba beans; a review of the literature publiched on these crops to prepare the corresponding abstracts on lentils andd faba beans, etc.

The Lentil Genome is a comprehensive volume on this important legume, from its economic importance to the latest in sequencing. The book includes botanical descriptions, discussion of lentil genetics, cytogenetics and breeding, molecular mapping genes and QTLs, as well as structural and functional genomics, genome sequencing, assembly, repetitive genome, gene annotation and synteny. Lentil [Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris Medikus] is among the earliest domesticates from the Near-East Fertile Crescent and plays a vital role in nutritional wellbeing and livelihood for the small-scale farmers in the dryland agricultural ecosystems of South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, and North Africa. The classical plant breeding approach of selection-recombination-selection has been used successfully for genetic improvement in lentil. However further genetic improvement for developing the high yielding cultivars is required knowledge of gene network underlying the complex traits. Realizing the importance of genomics enabled improvement in crop plants, the scientific community has recently placed major emphasis on whole genome sequencing in many major crops including lentil. This compilation of the latest lentil genome research serves the immediate needs of students, scientists and is needed to strengthen conventional crop improvement strategies of lentil. - Focuses on the latest tools and strategies for genome sequencing - Includes discussions of public and private genome sequencing and how the information is leading to advancements - Highlights the impact on germplasm characterization gene discovery and generic improvement in post genome era - Presents insights from leading experts from around the globe

Grain legumes mainly consisting of common bean, pea, chickpea, faba bean, cowpea, lentil, pigeon pea, peanut, Asian Vigna species, grass pea and horsegram are under cultivation in a considerable area worldwide. With their higher protein content and symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules enabling them to fix their own nitrogen, reducing the fertilizer use in agriculture has become very important for the production systems. For most of these important grain legumes, a large number of germplasm accessions were characterized and evaluated for various agro-morphological traits, including biotic, abiotic and quality parameters. Core and mini-core collections have also been developed for the majority of grain legumes; they were further evaluated for different parameters. From these genetic resources, potential donors of desirable traits have been selected after evaluation and characterization and have been utilized in the genetic improvement of cultivars. Current available genomic resources and technologies can facilitate allele mining for novel traits of interest and incorporation from wild relatives into elite domestic genetic backgrounds.

Lentils: Potential Resources for Enhancing Genetic Gains describes the evolutionary aspects and agronomic potential of this important pulse with emphasis placed on wide hybridization, including molecular aspects and future breeding strategies. The existing variability among cultivated germplasm has been exploited to reach a desirable level of productivity. However, to attain further breakthroughs in increasing yield and improving stability in future cultivars, new sources of genes/alleles need to be identified and incorporated into cultivated varieties. This book provides specific use information, including wild lentil germplasm utilization, thus allowing for the selection of transgressive interspecific recombinants that can be adapted to specific environments. - Identifies breeding resources and the agronomic value assessed for specific traits of interest - Presents marker assisted breeding work and genomic resources - Describes strategies for wild lentils using wide hybridization - Features key breeding strategies

The lentil was one of the first foods ever to have been cultivated. This book presents the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of research on lentil production, biotic and abiotic stress management, quality seed production, storage techniques and lentil growing around the world. This book will be of great value to legume breeders, scientists, nutritionists, academic researchers, graduate students, farmers, traders and consumers in the developed and the developing world.

This book provides a comprehensive review of current lentil research. It contains 26 chapters covering topics on lentil global production, supply and demand; origin, phylogeny, domestication and spread; plant morphology, anatomy and growth habit; agroecology and adaptation; genetic resources collection, characterization, conservation and documentation; genetic enhancement for yield and yield stability; breeding for short season environments; improvement in Developed Countries; advances in molecular research; breeding and management to minimize the effects of drought and improve water use efficiency; soil nutrient management; cropping systems; biological nitrogen fixation and soil health improvement; mechanization; disease, pest and weed management; seed quality; postharvest processing and value addition; and food preparation and use. The last chapter presents field-based evidence of adoption of improved lentil cultivars from two cases: Bangladesh and Ethiopia.