Abstract

Given that genetic variety is a key component of agricultural enhancement programmes, the small genetic base of crops today is concerning. In self-pollinated grain legumes such as chickpea, mungbean, urdbean, clusterbean, cowpea, rajmash, fieldpea, and mothbean, the use of uniform high yielding few varieties poses a serious threat to our rich biodiversity because the highly diverse local cultivars and landraces have been replaced by genetically uniform modern varieties in traditional agro-ecosystems, making the cultivars more susceptible to pests and diseases.