In a bid to improve legume productivity, the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, in association with the University of Hyderabad (UoH), is working on genetic transformation of green and black grams, which help manage biotic and abiotic stresses. This is still at the laboratory stage and may take at least three years for field trials.
According to CRIDA scientists, under YS Ramakrishna, director, CRIDA, the genetic transformation is bound to stop the withering of flowers, to improve the overall productivity. “At the lab stage, we have inserted a gene, which will prevent flower fall during extreme drought conditions. To prevent one of this natural phenomena, this gene may also help in drought tolerance of green gram,” scientists observed.
Similar experiments were conducted on sorghum for enhancing drought tolerance, which showed positive signals and were also being conducted on black gram as well. In fact, the country’s productivity of legumes is relatively low touching close to 400 kg per hectare unlike 1,600 kg per hectare, CRIDA scientists said. Hence, CRIDA has partnered with UoH to source the genetic strain and help in the transformation process. Compared to cereals, legume productivity averages around 700 kg/ha in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, compared to wheat (2,805 kg/ha), rice (3,970 kg/ha) and maize (4,610 kg/ha).
According to the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) scientists, low legume yields are the result of high susceptibility to pests and diseases and factors such as salinity, low soil fertility, heat stress and drought. Grain legumes contribute up to one-third of the dietary protein needs of the human population globally. In fact, a Tropical Legume Improvement II project has been initiated that involves three CGIAR institutes – ICRISAT, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).