![]() captures valuable genes from wild relatives and moves them into the breeding programme by crossing the genetically diverse exotic lines with elite lines, creating evolving gene banks. The plant breeding method described by Cowling et al. This revolutionary plant breeding system will allow breeders to access valuable genes that have been lost through modern breeding programmes. They conclude that optimal contribution selection provides the control necessary to actively improve evolving gene banks for economic traits, while maintaining high levels of genetic diversity. They simulated pre-breeding using a founder population based on crosses between elite crop varieties and exotic lines of field pea, subjecting the population to 30 cycles of recurrent selection for an index comprising four economically important traits. (2017) explore the concept of evolving gene banks, applying optimal contribution selection to manage long‐term genetic gain and genetic diversity in pre-breeding populations. Large genetic diversity exists in seeds of grain legumes held in gene banks, but these are not fully used in active breeding programmes. Modern breeding efforts to improve yield, disease resistance and quality are constrained by a low level of genetic diversity in breeding programmes. The development of effective phenotyping and breeding approaches is a challenge for the less-well studied grain legumes in particular. Several papers in the issue highlight the development of genetic resources that will unleash significant untapped potential for genetic improvement. ![]() Improved genomic resources and breeding tools The papers presented in this special issue bear testimony to the urgent need for the intensification of basic and applied research into grain legumes, which will form a cornerstone of future food and nutritional security and a global web of biodiversity. Production agronomy and crop rotation approaches could also be intensified to address the associated economic and environmental challenges. Recognizing that increasing the global production of grain legumes has the potential to provide a sustainable solution to food and protein security, significant efforts are currently being made to increase genomic resources and apply innovative breeding techniques to improve the yield and nutritional quality of legume crops, together with enhanced resilience to climate change. The FAO initiative was also linked to a growing recognition of the contribution of pulses to critical targets under Sustainable Development Goal 2, particularly regarding food access, malnutrition and smallholder incomes, as well as sustainable and resilient agriculture. This initiative was introduced with objectives to (i) promote the value and utilization of pulses throughout the food system, (ii) raise awareness of their benefits, (iii) foster enhanced research, (iv) advocate for better utilization of pulses in crop rotations, and (v) address challenges in trade. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) facilitated the International Year of Pulses in 2016, focusing on the contribution of pulses to production and dietary diversity to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. However, the use of legumes in agriculture and the genetic improvement of important grain legumes have lagged behind cereal crops. The value of pulses in food cultures around the world is well known, and calling them ‘little marvels’ is apt (BBC Radio 4 Food Programme, broadcast in the UK, July 2016), not least because of their significant health benefits ( Foyer et al., 2016) ( Box 1). The reviews and research together form an invaluable resource for the research community and policymakers. Labs contributing to this special issue have undertaken research and breeding to improve pulse crops, together with innovative production agronomy which contributes to the sustainability of cropping systems. Global food security requires a major re-focusing of plant sciences, crop improvement and production agronomy towards grain legumes (pulse crops) over coming decades, with intensive research and development to identify climate-resilient species and cultivars with improved grain characteristics. Crop resilience, food security, genomics, grain legumes (pulse crops), legume breeding, orphan crops, RNA sequencing, symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
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