Improvement of legumes by exploring extra-specific genetic variation

Summary Genetic improvement of legumes is a major on-going challenge for plant breeders. Outlined in this review are the main reasons why such increased extra-specific genetic variation is required, particularly in the developing world. With the development of new methods of plant genetic manipulation it is necessary to assess the relative merits of all approaches now available. To help the plant breeder in this respect we have in this review comprehensively described these conventional and unconventional procedures with particular reference to economically important legumes.supported by the Royal Society Commonwealth Bursary.