(Cicer arietinum L.) grain a self-pollinating diploid (2n=2x=16) with a genome size of 740 Mbp, is the world’s third most important food legume. It is currently grown on about 11.5 million ha, with 96% of the area in developing countries. Chickpea production has increased during the past 30 years from 6.5 million tons (1978-1980 average) to 9.6 million tons (2007-09) because of increase in grain yields from 630 to 850 kg/ha during this period.>> More

(Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh)is a cross-pollinated (20–70%) species with a diploid number of 2n=2x=22 and genome size of 858 Mbp. Since 1976, the area under pigeonpea has increased by 7%. Pigeonpea is currently being grown on 5.2 million ha in the rainfed areas of Asia, eastern and southern Africa, Latin American and Caribbean
countries.>> More

(Arachis hypogaea) is a self pollinated, allotetraploid (2n=4x=40) with a genome size of 2891 Mbp, it is grown on nearly 23.95 million ha worldwide with the total production of 36.45 million tons and an average yield of 1520 kg/ha in 2009 (FAOSTAT 2011). China, India, Nigeria, USA and Myanmar are the major groundnut growing countries.>> More

[Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]is a highly cross-pollinated (more than 85% outcrossing) diploid annual (2n=2x=14) with a large genome size (2450 Mbp). It is grown annually on more than 29 million ha in the arid and semi-arid tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
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[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a self-pollinated diploid (2n=2x=20) C4 grass with a high photosynthetic effi ciency. Its small genome size (730 Mbp, about 25% the size of maize or sugarcane) is fully sequenced and makes sorghum an attractive model for functional genomics of C4 grasses. Sorghum is one among the few resilient crops that can adapt well to future climate change conditions, particularly the increasing drought, soil salinity and high temperatures.>> More

The ICRISAT genebank conserves germplasm of six small millets: finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, little millet, barnyard millet and kodo millet. Small millets are grown mainly as rainfed crops under marginal conditions of soil fertility and moisture. They are primarily used to prepare roti, porridge or can be cooked similar to rice......>> More