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Advancements in Lentil Breeding: Harnessing Molecular Markers and Omics Approaches for Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Mehmet Yeken , Mehmet Tekin, Amjad Ali, Muhammad Altaf, Sarmad Qureshi, Ali Çelik, Meliha Sarıkaya, Ahmet Çat, Ebubekir Yüksel, Esengül Erdem, Fawad Ali, Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Aasim, Kağan Kökten, Vahdettin ÇİFTÇİ, Faheem BALOCH , Muhammad Nadeem

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), an essential cool-season legume crop, is widely cultivated in South Asia as a sole winter crop following the rice harvest. It is highly valued for its rich nutritional profile, including abundant protein, folic acid, iron, and zinc. However, lentil production is severely threatened by various abiotic and biotic stresses. Key abiotic stresses include heat, drought, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, and iron deficiency. In contrast, biotic stresses comprise anthracnose, ascochyta blight, sclerotinia white mold, fusarium wilt, rust, various viral, bacterial, and nematode diseases. To combat these challenges, plant breeders and geneticists have focused on identifying resistant germplasm, deciphering the genetic basis of resistance, and mapping associated resistance genes. Significant progress in lentil genomics, with efforts to establish a unified genetic map, has significantly enhanced breeding strategies. Presently, molecular breeding, specifically targeting anthracnose and ascochyta blight in Australia and Canada, has yielded promising results. Furthermore, the advent of molecular markers and genomics has revolutionized lentil breeding, enabling the precise development of disease-resistant and climate-resilient lentil varieties through marker-assisted selection. In addition, the integration of omics tools, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, has provided deeper insights into the complex biological pathways underlying stress tolerance. These technologies allow for more comprehensive identification of candidate genes and biomarkers, further advancing lentil breeding efforts. This review highlights the integration of traditional and innovative breeding techniques to address emerging challenges, particularly in the context of climate change. By combining ancestral knowledge with modern molecular breeding tools, researchers are making substantial progress in developing robust lentil varieties with improved resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses.

CP24350  Accepted 01 October 2025

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