Choice Reviews Online · 1990 · 191 citations · 0 references
AgriculturePlant BiologyPlant SciencesPlant EvolutionPlant Genetic ResourcesPlant GeneticsCereal Grain AnatomyLegume CropsLegume IntegrationLegume SelectionLegume-grass InteractionsOilseed Crop BreedingCrop Genetic ResourcesGrain Legume IntegrationLegume ContributionLegume EvolutionLegume Systems
Legumes play a vital role worldwide by providing an alternative nitrogen source to artificial fertilizers, mitigating environmental impacts, and naturally fixing nitrogen through Rhizobium biosynthesis. The volume surveys major grain legumes in terms of evolution and potential for development, and discusses benefits of evaluating and improving their genetic resources. The authors survey evolutionary changes during domestication of pulse and oilseed legume crops, covering all major grain legumes. The comparative approach highlights the overall potential of these crops.
This volume provides a wide-ranging survey of all the major grain legumes from the standpoint of both their evolution and their potential for further development and improvement as economically important food crops. The legumes have a vital role to play in both the developed and developing worlds by providing an alternative nitrogen source to the artificial fertilizers, which, although boosting cereal yields, often have had adverse environmental effects. The grain legumes are a valuable crop possessing the ability to fix nitrogen by Rhizobium biosynthesis and thus contribute to the natural nitrogen cycle. The book surveys the changes which have occurred in the course of domestication of the plants which have evolved into our pulse crops and oilseed legume crops. The author then discusses the benefits to be gained from evaluation and improvement of grain legume genetic resources. It is through this comparative approach that the overall potential of these crops is highlighted.