Legumes grow all over the world and are adapted to various environmental and geographical conditions. These crops have great nutrition value and comprise one of the richest sources of plant protein. Legumes are the second source of human food after cereals. Pasture legumes such as alfalfa play an important role in feeding the domestic animals and consequently providing the animal protein. Due to their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixation bacteria, they act as soil biofertilizers in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The number of varieties available for the legumes, including chickpea, lentil, pea, and field bean are very limited in the country. For instance, since the last 20 years, only one or two varieties of chickpea have been released. According to the planting background of these crops and their adaptation to the Khorasan climate, a comprehensive and long- term investigation plan is needed. Therefore, the research group of legumes, with an exclusive concentration on pulses, has been developed and several projects on resistance to cold weather, drought, and diseases in the fields of Agronomy, Ecophysiology and Biotechnology are in process.
Objectives of the Legumes Research Group
• Investigation of agronomic, echo-physiologic and genetic characteristics of legumes in order to improve the yield.
• Investigation of different aspects of nitrogen fixation by legumes.
• Applying biotechnology to improve the quantitative and qualitative traits in legumes.
• Studying the effect of environmental stresses on the production and yield, and the breeding of the legumes and improvement of existing varieties against stresses.
• Cooperation with other research and executive organizations in order to introduce proper legume varieties adapted to the environmental conditions of the region.
• Collaboration with other scientific centers such as Faculties of Science and Agriculture to train postgraduates.
Members of Legumes Research Group
| Name |
Academic position |
| Dr. A. Bagheri |
Academic staff (part time)- Professor |
| Dr. M. Kafi |
Academic staff (part time)- Professor |
| Dr. A. Nezami |
Academic staff (part time) - Asst. Prof |
| Dr. M. Parsa |
Academic staff (part time) - Asst. Prof |
| Dr. A. Ganjeali |
Academic staff- Asst. Prof |
| S.R. Vessal |
Academic staff (Ph.D. Student)- Instructor |
| F. Shokoohifar |
Academic staff (Ph.D. Student)- Instructor |
| F. Zaker Tavallaei |
Academic staff (Ph.D. Student) |
| S. Hojjat |
M.Sc. |
| H. Porsa |
M.Sc. |
