Characterization of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) Germplasm by SSR Marker

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.subsp. culinaris) is an important principal cool season pulse crop of the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, North America, North Africa and West Asia. It is an old world legume and is probably one of the first plant species to be domesticated. This crop has the ability to grow under water stress conditions and survive under high range of drought and cold; that are the main attributes which make this an important and unique crop. Nutritionists rank lentil as an excellent source of nutrition which is a major source of complex carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, vitamins A and B, potassium and iron; and low in sodium and fat that regulate growth and development. It is a nitrogen sequestrating plant that improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and therefore increases sustainability of agricultural production systems. Before initiation of lentil breeding activities there is urgent need to characterize, evaluate lentil germplasm available to us. In order to address this goal, characterization and evaluation of available lentil accessions on genetic basis is extremely necessary.