GENE MOBILIZATION FOR BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSES IN GRAIN LEGUMES

Although India is the largest producer of grain legumes in the world, its productivity levels are much below those of many other countries. The reasons for low productivity of grain legumes have been identified. Besides, cultivation of these crops under extreme stress conditions, pests and diseases also playa significant role in reducing yield levels. Indian subcontinent also happens to be a major centre of origin of leguminous plants and sources of resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses can be found more in the germplasm collected from this region. Efforts made in this direction have already resulted in identification of distinct sources of stress resistance.