Abstract
Introducing legumes in modern cropping systems increases crop diversity and reduces the use of external inputs. It thus contributes to achieving sustainable food and feed production. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an environmentally friendly, nutritious, protein-rich legume food crop. It is grown in a wide range of climatic conditions and fixes atmospheric nitrogen through bacterial symbiosis. In France, lentil cultivated areas are continuously increasing but are still largely inferior to the areas cultivated with cereals or other legumes such as pea and faba bean. One of the most serious problems for lentil cultivation is due to the insect pests known as seed beetles (Coleoptera, Bruchinae). Their larvae feed on developing seeds provoking severe yield losses. Lentil is also susceptible to root rot. Various fungal and fungus-like organisms including Aphanomyces and Pythium make up a disease complex and provoke poor root development and stunting/yellowing of aerial parts. The French research project called RésiLens (2019-2021), funded by the special allocation account for agriculture and rural development (CasDAR), aims at addressing these urgent questions. Seven public and private partners will be working together to characterize the diversity of a lentil collection comprising 300 accessions at the phenotypic and molecular levels. Phenotyping trials under different environments will allow generating knowledge about lentil response to main stresses and identifying resistant genitors for breeding.