APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT METHODOLOGIES IN LENTIL (Lens culinaris MEDIK) BREEDING

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a self-pollinating diploid (2n=2x=14) species belonging to the Fabaceae family. It one of oldest crops known, with 8,000 9,000 years history and it among earliest domesticates from Near East Fertile Crescent. The seeds have high nutritional value. This crop an interesting substitute wheat in cereal rotations but its importance low due lack suitable varieties local adaptation. Some major problems that Argentinian lentil breeders face are narrow genetic base current cultivated germplasm yield potential. A breeding program was initiated 2004 develop new adaptation prevalent conditions growing areas Argentina. Germplasm obtained ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research Dry Areas) producers. Conventional methods using hybridization selection being carried out improved varieties, broad base, isolate superior recombinant inbred lines. Two been obtained, macrosperm type (Boyerito FCA) other microsperm (Tacuarita through application mass F2 populations cross selected materials. complements traditional biotechnological techniques such as transgenesis, use molecular markers, vitro embryo culture combined SSD method shorten time, digital phenotyping. Key words: Lentil, conventional methodologies, culture, biotechnology techniques,