Reproductive Biology of Grain Legumes

Reproductive biology of legumes is examined, particularly in relation to the role of pollination in crop breeding, with emphasis on the subject of floral attributes and functions, mating system patterns, and reproductive mode. After a broad description of the floral morphology, design and display, advertisement and reward, attention is paid to some special aspects on how to manage pollination in seed stock multiplication and in hybrid breeding (F1 hybrids and populations) strategies. We provide a chapter that may serve to pioneer a new period on the use of reproductive biology knowledge in legumes by opening a broader and more ecological perspective, including an understanding of the interplay between crop and pollinator.