The minor pulses comprise moth bean, horsegram, grasspea, cowpea, French bean and other lesser cultivated pulses and shared 2.32-3.13 million hectares and 1.49-2.17 million tons of the acreage and production of pulses, respectively, in India, during 2019-20-2023-24. Their contribution to the total pulses production stood at 5.9% during 2023-24. The present paper reviews the current production scenario, genetic and genomic resources and varietal development of minor pulses and suggests future outlook for attaining high yield and sustainable production. The acreage of moth bean, horsegram and grasspea were reduced by 2.1%, 33.3% and 8.5% during 2023-24 as compared to that of 2019-20. Barring horsegram where production was reduced by 34.3%, it was increased by 12.5% for moth bean and 29.4% for grasspea during the corresponding period. The yield ha-1 was higher by 15.1% and 41.3%, respectively, for moth bean and grasspea but marginally lower by 1.5% for horsegram during 2023-24 over that of 2019-20. India has rich indigenous germplasm collections of the minor pulses except Indian bean and 35 novel unique germplasm were registered, those can be effectively used as donor sources for accelerating breeding programme. A total of 111 high yielding and climate resilient varieties were developed through conventional breeding during 2011-24. The available genomic resources in moth bean, SSR marker set; the linked SSR markers with plant height and determinate growth in horsegram and set of unigene-SSR markers, a set of functional SSR markers in cowpea will expedite genomics-led interventions in the breeding of these crops. Further, induction of newly notified varieties in the seed production chain will be critical for enhancing production

 Legumes are one of the major sources of carbohydrates however proteins for human consumption however, so far, metabolomics studies remain limited to model species only. The Fabaceae family produces a plethora of structurally and functionally diverse metabolites, including biochemical compound classes which are has specialized metabolites and synthesized in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. There is a need to understand these molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the response of these crops to both stresses. Especially concerning the adaptive responses of legume species to both stresses as well as to point out the key primary and secondary metabolites involved in the adaptation and sensing mechanisms. Hence, in this review, legume metabolomic studies in response to biotic and abiotic stress have paved the way in understanding stress-signaling pathways. It aims to provides a progress update on metabolomic studies of legumes in response to different stresses. Moreover, metabolome annotation and data analysis platforms are discussed together with future prospects. This review will provide insight into the state-of-the-art plant metabolomics tools for crop improvement. Here, we describe the workflow of plant metabolomics research focusing on the elucidation of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms in plants

 Pot experiments were conducted to study the effect of varying zinc fert-fortification approaches on zinc enrichment of pulses grains at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur for two consecutive years. This study investigated the influence of different approaches viz; foliar fertilization, seed coating, soil-application and seed priming of zinc on the zinc concentration in four legume crops i.e. fieldpea, urdbean, rajmash, and chickpea. The results envisaged that foliar zinc application at 1.0 % significantly increased zinc concentration in fieldpea grains to the level of 32.37 mg/kg. Zinc concentration in urdbean grains increased steadily with higher levels of seed coating, with 5.0 g Zn/kg seed attained the highest concentration (36.77 mg/kg). In Rajmash, zinc concentration in grains increased gradually with increasing soil-applied zinc, peaking at 3.5 mg Zn/kg soil (17.87 mg/kg in grains). In chickpea, zinc concentration increased progressively with higher zinc concentrations in the seed priming solution, with the highest concentration (35.75 mg/kg) observed at the highest application level (0.175 mg/kg). These findings suggest that both foliar and soil-application methods, along with seed treatments, can significantly enhance the zinc content of legume grains, with specific concentrations identified as optimal for each method

 United States Salinity (USSL) developed the earliest comprehensive criteria for the evaluation of quality of irrigation water in 1954. It was used most widely throughout the world and it also served as a basis for future research. Quality was evaluated on the basis of four characteristics viz. (1) Salinity to be measured as electrical conductivity (EC); (2) Sodium to be measured as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) to be calculated as Na/ Ca + Mg/2 ; (3) Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) to be calculated as (CO3 + HCO3 ) - (Ca + Mg); and (4) Boron. There were four classes each of salinity and SAR and three classes for each of RSC and Boron. The critical limits depended on the tolerance of the crops, texture of the soil and management practices. The upper critical limits of EC, SAR and RSC were kept as 5 dSm-1, 31 and 2.5 meq/L for tolerant crops and light textured soils whereas 4 ppm for boron for tolerant crops. A diagram was also devised which was based upon the system in which waters at a constant SAR value were given a higher sodium hazard rating with an increase in salinity (EC). Later researches found that lumping of Ca + Mg together in the calculation of SAR and RSC was erroneous because activity of Ca was different than Mg. and of CO3 was different than HCO3 . Critical limits were also low because experiments and observations were made in conservative conditions. The parameters were modified. Accordingly, SAR was to be calculated us Na / Ca and RSC as HCO3 - Ca and to be called as SCAR (Sodium to Calcium Activity Ratio) and RSBC (Residual Sodium Bicarbonate), respectively. The permissible limits of EC, SCAR, and RSC were relaxed to 10 dSm-1, 40 and 10 meq/L, respectively. Permissible limits of Boron were relaxed to 10 ppm, higher limits for heavy textured soils. USSL diagram linking EC and SAR was not found tenable as waters at a constant SAR value did not have higher sodium rating with an increase in EC. In view of later researches, USSL criteria should not be used as such for the evalution of quality of irrigation waters.

 Gums and resins are known for their diverse application for more than 5000 years. These are produced from some plants, insects, and micro-organisms. Indonesia, India and China are amongst the World’s major producers of gums and resins. As gums and resins possess a unique biochemical structure and properties, it finds application in food, pharmaceutical, and other industrial application besides their use in several traditional applications. Gums and resins are biocompatible and biodegradable, and their sources are renewable. The people worldwide are now again feeling the necessity of using natural additives in products of human consumption, due to adverse effect of using synthetic additives. Such a shift in the human mindset has created additional demand for natural products like gums and resins. These are produced in resource-constrained areas, where people are poor and need the creation of good livelihood options for improvement in their economic condition. Gums and resins producing trees not only produces gums and resins but also help in improving soil health and restricts climate change as well as expansion of desert in arid and semi-arid regions. Increasing production of gums and resins by motivating farmers for establishing plantations; creating infrastructure for processing and value addition in the regions of gums and resins production; and finding new application areas of these natural product are urgent needs of this vital sector. This paper covers an overview on the role of gums and resins sector in livelihood security of farmers and need to promote them on farmland in India. 

 Non-adoption of the suggested package of practices and ignorance about better okra cultivation techniques are the main causes of the low okra yield in Rajasthan’s Pali District. Thirty front-line demonstrations (FLDs) of the high yielding Arka Anamika variety were held during 2022 and 2023 kharif seasons by ICAR-CAZRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Pali, Rajasthan, in an effort to replace the traditional practices. The cultivation methods covered by FLDs include the adoption of high-yielding varieties, maintaining the recommended plant-to-plant and row-to-row spacing, applying the recommended dose of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and integrated management of pests and diseases. The yield of okra in FLDs was between 124.60 and 126.40 q/ha on average, whereas in local practices, it was between 103.20 and 103.80 q/ha in 2022 and 2023. It was recorded that the percentage increase yield with high yielding variety over local variety was recorded in range of 20.74 to 21.77%. Similarly, the extension gap ranged between 21.40 to 22.60 q/ha during the years 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

 Jaisalmer District is located in the great Indian Thar Desert, characterized by limited rainfall, poor groundwater resources, and challenging soil conditions for agriculture. Pearl millet is the major cereal crop of arid zone due to its adaptive features and ability to perform well with the use of limited inputs under harsh conditions. The existence of pearl millet in arid zone is important for maintaining crop diversity and long-term sustainability of agriculture, besides food and nutritional security to desert dwellers due to its climate resilience and nutritional superiority. The average productivity of pearl millet in district Jaisalmer is poor as compared to the state average i.e. 1030 kg/ha. Research reports revealed that with the adoption of high-yielding early maturing varieties along with recommended production technologies such as crop stand management with 1.33 lakh plants/ha, soil management, moisture management, balanced fertilizer application, life-saving irrigation at critical growth stages (tillering, flowering, and grain development stages), foliar application of agrochemicals 0.2% K2 SO4 + 100 ppm ascorbic acid or 0.2% K2 SO4 + 1000 ppm thiourea at grain development stage under moisture stress would be helpful in yield optimization of pearl millet in district Jaisalmer

 In the ancient times, prehistorically, medicinal and aromatic plants were discovered as the major source of life benefits and were utilized in the form of food and medicine. As the time passed, our descendants understood the importance of certain elements of these plants and mentioned in the civilization and started consuming for the welfare of human health. Soon, traditional medicines, derived from medicinal and aromatic plants became an integral part in the maintenance of life of citizens. Additionally, people started extracting the variety of plant material and underwent its tasting and testing. Now, innumerable number of herbs and species are utilized in promoting health and appreciated throughout the globe. On emphasizing the increasing benefits of medicinal and aromatic plants, they seem to be very crucial in future