Old and new challenges in legume breeding

Abstract

Legume production in Europe is decreasing due to low mineral nitrogen fertilizer prizes, import of soybean concentrates, and crop rotations which favour crops having better profit margins. Additionally, legumes have several disadvantages that limit their use, compared to other crops. With narrow-leafed lupin as a representative of grain legumes and red clover as a representative of leafy forage legumes some disadvantages in cropping and breeding are demonstrated. Breeding goals and necessary research activities are derived and demonstrated by examples.