ABSTRACT
Genetic Transformation Laboratory, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, AP 502324, India. *Corresponding author: k.sharma@cgiar.org
Legumes, rich sources of proteins and minerals, are referred to as “poor man’s meat” in certain cultures. In order of importance, peanut, cowpea and beans represent about 80% of the production and cultivated area of food legumes, which are essential staples in the diets of millions. Peanuts share approximately 10% among production of 286.7 million metric tons of the world total of oilseeds behind soybeans (53%), rapeseed (15%) and cotton seeds (12%).
