[Genetic improvement of legumes]

Genetic improvement, a process aimed to obtain populations with a high frequency of desirable phenotypes, comprises both traditional and biotechnology approaches. Through these manipulations it is possible to address any problem, provided it is associated with a gene determined character. In the case of legume crops, some features have been changed such as yield, plant morphology, susceptibility to pathogens and other stress factors which reduce grain quality and output. In Venezuela an example of genetic improvement is represented by the domestication of Canavalia ensiformis (L) DC. working out some problems which limited its use as a crop, such as the shape and growing pattern, to obtain erect plants, and pod length to avoid its contact with the humid soil which accelerates rotting. Regarding the improvement of grain quality, genotypes have been found with low canavanine content.