Intense Breeding within Lentil Landraces for High-Yielding Pure Lines Sustained the Seed Quality Characteristics

Abstract

Landraces are a valuable source of genetic variability for breeders to develop high-yielding lentil varieties. Apart from productivity, simultaneous breeding for lentil seed nutritional quality is of paramount importance for wider lentil consumption. This work examined the indirect effect of single plant selection for high yield on important seed quality traits within three Greek lentil landraces ("Elassona" (EL), "Lefkada" (L), and "Evros" (EV)). The breeding methodology applied was proved to help either maintain or improve such characteristics in the high-yielding second-cycle lines (SLs) selected. Compared to the parental landrace "Elassona", the high-yielding lines showed increased crude fiber by 30-110%; the line 2-SL-EL-6 had higher starch content by 3.9% and reduced cooking time by 6.67 min, while the 2-SL-EL-10 line had higher crude fiber by 73%. In the case of "Lefkada", the high-yielding lines selected maintained the protein content present in the parental landrace, apart from the 2-SL-L-1 where a decrease by 5% was recorded; however, most of them showed increased crude fiber (5.59-7.52%) in comparison with the parental landrace (4.65%). Finally, in relation to the "Evros" parental landrace, the 2-SL-EV-3 and 2-SL-EV-4 showed higher crude fiber and reduced cooking time. This study provides evidence that proper management of genetic variability could improve productivity without compromising or sometimes improving some seed quality traits.

Evaluation of environment and cultivar impact on lentil protein, starch, mineral nutrients, and yield

“…The broad‐sense heritability was estimated at .62 based on the four cultivars grown in five locations for 3 yr, indicating breeding cultivars for higher protein concentration is possible. Other studies have also reported significant differences in protein concentration amongst cultivars (Ghumman et al., 2016; Ninou et al., 2019; Nosworthy et al., 2018; Subedi et al., 2020; Tao et al., 2017; Wang & Daun, 2006).…”

“…The demand for human consumption of plant‐based protein will continue to grow in the future (Pihlanto et al., 2017). Previous studies demonstrated that protein concentration in lentil varies by cultivar (Ghumman et al., 2016; Ninou et al., 2019; Nosworthy et al., 2018; Wang & Daun, 2006), climate (Erskine et al., 1985; Fatima et al., 2018; Sharaan et al., 2003), soil (Huang et al., 2016; Zeidan, 2007), and agricultural practices (Gill, 2013; Mandal et al., 2018). Wang and Daun (2006) found that protein concentration in lentil varied between 243 and 302 g kg −1 dry matter (DM), whereas in another study protein concentration ranged from 252 to 293 g kg −1 DM (Wang et al., 2008).…”

Single-Plant Selection at Ultra-Low Density Enhances Buffering Capacity of Barley Varieties and Landraces to Unpredictable Environments and Improves Their Agronomic Performance

“…The results of our study indicated that small progress in grain protein content has been achieved, while selecting for high grain yield, in accordance with Simmonds's (1996) remark. Working with lentil crops, following a 2-year selection cycle for individual plant yield under ultra-low density, Ninou et al (2019) ensured that the selection of high yielding lines maintained or even improved their seed quality characteristics.…”

Foliar Spray of Micronutrients Alleviates Heat and Moisture Stress in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) Grown Under Rainfed Field Conditions

“…Lentil is a versatile and profitable pulse crop. It is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber for humans, and valuable feed and fodder for livestock ( Ninou et al, 2019 ). In India, lentil is a cool-season food legume crop often planted as a rainfed crop during winter.…”