Breeding Minor Pulses for Climate Resilience in the Era of Genomics: Opportunities and Prospects

Minor pulse crops are resilient in challenging environments and harsh climates, especially in arid regions worldwide. Characterized by their low-input needs and climate resilience, these pulses have a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to more intensively farmed crops. This book chapter discusses minor pulse crops, their potential to address global agricultural challenges, and respective plant genetic resources (PGRs), highlights relevant genomic resources and breakthroughs, and provides a comprehensive overview of various breeding strategies used to enhance the productivity of minor pulses. The chapter also explores strategies for reducing anti-nutritional factors and increasing the nutritional value of these crops. By removing undesirable traits and/or incorporating favourable traits, technology integration, like CRISPR/Cas9, can greatly expand agricultural research and foster the creation of novel varieties. The various applications of the CRISPR method in genetic manipulation have garnered substantial interest in recent years. A thorough explanation of the possible applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for improving minor pulses is given. The role of strategic advancements in targeted breeding, unravelling genetic potential, and market integration for underutilized pulses is discussed. Additionally, this chapter emphasizes the critical role that minor pulses play in strengthening global food systems in response to climate change and suggests innovative breeding techniques as a means of bringing these formerly marginal crops to the forefront of agriculture.