QTL mapping for abiotic stress in legumes

Legumes are well documented for their impact in maintaining sustainable agricultural systems along with their health and nutritional benefit. Legumes rank third in global crop production and abiotic stress is the foremost constraint that limits crop productivity. Legumes are traditionally grown in rainfed/marginal areas and have evolved mechanisms for tolerance to abiotic stresses. Global climate change emphasizes the need for development of climate-resilient legume varieties. Legumes experience several stresses like salinity, waterlogging, cold, drought, and heat during the crop season. Traditional breeding approaches have been successful in increasing the yield of crops. Molecular approaches can complement conventional breeding approaches increasing the precision and reducing the time. Plant breeders, physiologists, and biotechnologists have to work together to develop new approaches to increase abiotic stress tolerance in legumes. Precise and repeatable screening techniques are essentially required to screen the germplasm and breeding material. Genetic mechanism underlying tolerance to abiotic stresses needs through investigation. Limited reports are available on tolerance to abiotic stresses in legumes and detailed investigations are required. QTLs for tolerance to abiotic stresses in legumes will compliment conventional breeding programmes. The review compiles information on abiotic stresses, their screening techniques, mode of inheritance, and QTLs identified for different abiotic stresses.