Advances in Breeding Climate-Resilient Legume Crops for a Changing Climate

Climate change is posing escalating threats to global food and nutritional security, sharply impacting food legume crops that are vital protein sources for millions worldwide. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are leading to reduced yields, lower nutritional value, and diminished crop resilience. To sustain food production and meet the demands of a growing population, there is an urgent need to develop legume cultivars that can withstand environmental stresses. Breeding for climate resilience involves identifying and integrating traits such as drought and heat tolerance, as well as enhanced disease resistance, to bolster both yield stability and quality under unpredictable climatic conditions.

The goal of this research topic is to accelerate the development of climate-resilient legume cultivars through the application of advanced breeding methodologies, genomics, and gene editing technologies. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to strengthen food and nutritional security, promote sustainable agricultural systems, and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and communities that depend on these vital crops in a rapidly changing climate.

We welcome submissions that explore innovative approaches to breeding climate-resilient food legumes. Key areas of interest include:

1. Genetic Diversity: Assessment and utilization of genetic diversity, including the incorporation of beneficial alleles from landraces and wild species, to broaden the genetic base of legume crops.

2. Wild Relatives: Integration of traits from wild and underutilized species to enhance resilience using genomic tools.

3. Genetic and Genomic Foundations: Elucidation of the genetic and genomic mechanisms governing climate resilience, such as drought tolerance, heat resistance, and disease resistance.

4. Genomics and Gene Editing: Application of advanced genomic techniques, allele mining, and gene editing technologies introduce pyramid resilience traits (i.e., combine multiple beneficial traits into single cultivars.

5. Genomics-Assisted Breeding Strategies and Field Validation: Application of genomic tools and technologies in the development and field validation of new legume cultivars with improved stress tolerance and yield stability under changing climatic conditions.

Research that bridges basic discovery and applied breeding, or connects genetic improvements to farmer outcomes, is especially encouraged.