Research gaps impeding genetic gain in pulses

Abstract

Pulses are essential commodity for Indian agriculture. They are an excellent source of plantbased proteins, essential minerals, dietary fibres and vitamins and play an important role in fighting global hunger and malnutrition, improve soil health and promote environmental sustainability. Pulses constitute important dietary constituent for humans and animals because of their richness with proteins (ranging from 20 to 27%, depending upon the crop species) and essential minerals, vitamins and dietary fibres (Thomas et al. 2025). The protein content of pulses is double that of wheat and three times that of rice (Neelam et al. 2014). Therefore, pulses as a complement to cereals, make one of the best solutions to protein-calorie malnutrition. Beside proteins, these are also important source of the 15 essential minerals required by human beings (Kumar and Pandey 2020). Due to their diverse uses as atmospheric nitrogen fixing agents, green manure and cover crops, catch crops in short season cropping windows, breakfast grains and ingredients of specialty diets, pulses are an important subject of agricultural, environmental and biotechnological research. With active technological support, policy initiatives and farmer willingness, India has witnessed quantum jump in pulses production in past one decade. However, still nearly 20% of the produce is imported to meet domestic demand (Divya et al. 2024).