Work

Physiological mechanisms of drought and high temperature adaptation in Lens species: A review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important grain legume known for its nutritional quality, agronomic value, and role in sustainable agriculture. However, its genetic diversity is limited due to domestication, constraining efforts to breed stress‐resilient cultivars, especially under climate change. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) represent a valuable source of untapped genetic variability, harboring adaptive traits shaped under extreme environments. This review emphasizes the potential of CWRs in lentil breeding for abiotic stress tolerance, particularly drought and heat stress. It explores key abiotic stresses impacting lentil productivity, discusses mechanisms of stress tolerance available in wild lentil species, and highlights the necessity to integrate these traits into modern breeding programs. Utilizing the genetic diversity in CWRs can overcome current breeding limitations, improve lentil resilience, and secure sustainable production amid growing environmental challenges.

Source: Crop Science

DOI: 10.1002/csc2.70374

Authors: Salma Rouichi, Michel Edmond Ghanem, Moez Amri

Institutions: Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Institut Agro Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Amélioration Génétique et Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes et tropicales

Language: English

Topic: Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,980