Pulses, or grain legumes, play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture and human nutrition. In Pakistan, particularly Punjab, these crops are of major agronomic and socioeconomic value due to their high content of plant-based proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals. They enhance food security, especially in protein-deficient diets, and improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.Punjab's favorable agro-climatic conditions and arable land support the cultivation of key pulses such as chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens culinaris), mungbean (Vigna radiata), mashbean (Vigna mungo), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Globally, pulses contribute about 33% of dietary protein intake and are recognized as smart crops for both nutritional and environmental sustainability.Research on pulse crops was started during 1938 in the Cereal section of Agriculture College, Faisalabad. During 1970-71, an independent pulses research section was established which was upgraded to Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad during 1982.Pulses Research Institute is an allied department of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute. Its responsibility is to conduct research work for new varieties of pulses, which is mostly Chickpeas, Lentil, mung, mash, cowpea and dry peas. The seed of varieties so developed is provided to farmers and Punjab Seed Corporation. This institute has three sub-stations situated in Kallurkot district Bhakkar, Rakhutra district Khushab and Sahowali district Sialkot.
Mission
To advance sustainable pulse production through scientific innovation, improved varieties, climate-smart technologies, quality seed production, research collaboration, and effective technology transfer for the prosperity of farmers and the nation.
Objectives
- Develop high-yielding, climate-resilient, and widely adaptable pulse varieties with enhanced resistance to major diseases and insect pests.
- Generate and refine climate-smart, resource-efficient crop production technologies that enable farmers to achieve the full genetic yield potential of improved pulse varieties.
- Produce and maintain nucleus, pre-basic, and basic seed of approved pulse varieties to ensure the availability of high-quality seed for multiplication and commercial distribution.
- Conserve, evaluate, and utilize pulse germplasm for genetic improvement and future breeding programmes.
- Strengthen sustainable pulse production systems to improve food and nutritional security, enhance soil health, and increase farmers' profitability.
- Promote the adoption of improved pulse technologies through effective extension services, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
- Foster national and international research collaborations for accelerating innovation in pulse crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
Research Activities
The Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad undertakes multidisciplinary research covering the entire value chain of pulse crop improvement and production. Major research activities include:
Plant Breeding and Genetic Improvement
- Development of high-yielding, climate-smart, disease-resistant, and insect pest-resistant varieties of chickpea, lentil, mungbean, mashbean, cowpea, and dry pea.
- Germplasm collection, conservation, characterization, and utilization for genetic enhancement.
- Evaluation of advanced breeding lines across diverse agro-ecological environments.
Crop Production and Resource Management
- Development of modern, climate-smart, and resource-efficient production technologies.
- Optimization of planting methods, sowing time, nutrient management, irrigation practices, and cropping systems.
- Enhancement of productivity through integrated crop management practices.
Plant Protection Research
- Development of integrated management strategies for major diseases and insect pests.
- Screening and identification of resistant genetic resources.
- Promotion of environmentally sustainable crop protection approaches.
Seed Production and Quality Assurance
- Production and maintenance of nucleus, pre-basic, and basic seed of approved pulse varieties.
- Supply of quality source seed to Punjab Seed Corporation, registered seed companies, and other public and private sector organizations for certified seed multiplication.
Technology Transfer and Capacity Building
- Demonstration of improved production technologies under farmers' field conditions.
- Organization of farmer field days, workshops, seminars, training programmes, and awareness campaigns.
- Technical training for officers of the Agriculture Extension Department, researchers, students, and progressive farmers.
- Dissemination of research findings through digital platforms, print media, electronic media, radio programmes, technical publications, and advisory services.
Farmer Support Services
- Provision of technical guidance to farmers regarding improved production practices, pest and disease management, and climate-smart agriculture.
- Facilitation of the availability of quality seed of approved varieties through authorized channels.
- Promotion of sustainable pulse cultivation to improve farm productivity, profitability, and national food security.
Achievements
Innovative Technologies Developed
The Institute has introduced several landmark production technologies that have transformed pulse cultivation and enhanced resource-use efficiency.
Climate-Smart Production Technologies
- Introduction of spring cultivation technology for mung bean and mash bean, enabling farmers to maximize cropping intensity and productivity.
- Development of mung bean as a catch crop in the Rice–Wheat Cropping System, providing an additional source of income while improving soil fertility.
- Successful promotion of mung bean intercropping in orchards, ensuring efficient land utilization and increased farm profitability.
- Development of chickpea and lentil intercropping technology in September-sown sugarcane.
- Development of mung bean and mash bean intercropping technology in February-sown sugarcane.
- Promotion of climate-smart pulse production practices that improve resource efficiency, soil health, and environmental sustainability.
Initiatives
Quality Seed Production
- Continuous production of nucleus, pre-basic, and basic seed of approved pulse varieties.
- Regular supply of source seed to the Punjab Seed Corporation and registered public and private seed companies for certified seed multiplication.
- Strengthening the provincial seed system to ensure timely availability of quality seed to farming communities.
Technology Dissemination
- Promotion of newly developed pulse varieties and climate-smart production technologies through demonstration plots, farmer field days, workshops, seminars, and training programmes.
- Close collaboration with the Agriculture Extension Department to accelerate technology transfer and adoption at the farm level.
Sustainable Pulse Development
- Introduction of innovative intercropping systems to increase pulse cultivation without disturbing existing cropping patterns.
- Promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient pulse production technologies to improve productivity, conserve natural resources, and enhance farmers' income.
- Supporting national efforts to reduce dependence on imported pulses by increasing domestic production through scientific innovation.
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Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad |
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Dr. Khalid Hussain |
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Muhammad Amir Amin |
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Dr. Sumera Naz |
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Sadia Kaukab |
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Dr. Javaid Iqbal |
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Muhammad Kashif Shahzad Sarwar |
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Ghulam Mustafa Siddiqui |
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Ali Aziz |
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Zulkaif Maqsood |
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Muhammad Qasim Ali |
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Rubina nawaz |
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| Komal Rani |
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Pulses Research Sub Station, Kallur kot |
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Muhammad Tariq Mahmood |
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Pulses Research Sub Station, Sialkot |
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| Amer Hussain |
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Muhammad Irfan |
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Facilites
- A team of experience scientists relating to all aspect of pulses production is available in this institute. Pulses growers and students can get guidance from them.
- Accurate identification of major diseases affecting pulse crops, such as Fusarium wilt and Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV), is essential for effective management and prevention strategies. Timely and crop-specific solutions for insect pest infestations should be implemented based on the prevailing field conditions during the growing season. This includes the application of recommended integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
- To ensure optimal crop establishment and minimize early-stage disease incidence, farmers should be provided with healthy, certified, and disinfected seeds prior to the sowing period.
- Identification of diseases
- Providing solutions for insect pest attack during growing season.
- Farmer can get healthy and disinfected seed for timely sowing.
Services
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Introduction
- Pulses Research Institute is allied department of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute. Its responsibility is to conduct research for development of new varieties of pulses and their production technology. It has developed number of high yielding varieties of Chickpeas, Lentil, mung, mash and drypeas. Pulses Research Institute is providing following services.
- Provision of Advisory services and guidance to farmers regarding pulse cultivation.
- Provision of pre-basic seed of newly approved varieties to Punjab Seed Corporation and private seed companies for their multiplication.
- A limited quantity of pulses new varieties seed is also provided to progressive farmers for general cultivation.
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How to avail service?
- Advisory services and guidance on pulses cultivation can be availed by contacting focal persons through Cell No, Whats App , email or visiting Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad and its sub-offices.
- Cultivation can be purchased from following offices:
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- Pulses Research Institute, AARI, Jhang road Faisalabad.
- GramBreeding Research Sub- Station, Kallur Kot
- Pulses Research Sub- Station, Sahowali, Sialkot.
Allied Stations
Pulses Research Sub-Station, Sahowali
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his sub-station conduct research on Lentil and Masoor under direct supervision of Pulses Research Institute Faisalabad. More over healthy and certified seed of approved varieties is also produce and supply to farmers.
Contact Us
- Principal Scientist
- Email: irfan.breeder@gmail.com
- Mobile: 03006912369
Gram Breeding Research Sub-Station, Kallurkot
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This sub-station conducts research on Gram crop under the direct supervision of Pulses Research Institute Faisalabad. More over healthy and certified seed of approved varieties of pulses is also produce and supply to farmers.
Contact Us
- Scientific Officer
- Email: taqaisrani@gmail.com
- Phone: 0453-200656
- Mobile: 0333-6038204
Pulses Research Sub-Station, Rakhuttra, Khushab
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Gram Breeding Research Sub-Station, Rakhuttra is meant to conduct the research trials on different aspects of pulses under barani conditions Multiplication of seed of chickpea advance lines/varieties
Contact Us
- Scientific Officer
- Email: taqaisrani@gmail.com
- Phone: 0453-200656
- Mobile: 0333-6038204
Contact Us
- Chief Scientist
- Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad
- E-mail: directorpulses@yahoo.com
- Phone: 041-9201695