​Research Activities and Results
Food Grain Legume studies were began in 1974 containing breeding and agronomy technics in Aegean Agricultural Research Institute. As a result of these studies 5 chickpea varieties (İzmir92, Menemen92, Aydın92, Cevdetbey98, Sarı98); 4 faba bean varieties (Eresen87, Filiz99, Kıtık2003, Salkım); 2 dry bean varieties (Noyanbey98, Cihan) and 2 soybean varieties (Umut2002, Cinsoy) were released. Experiments and demonstrations on farmers’ fields under farmers’ conditions were carried out to introduce these varieties in different production regions. Seed productions of the varieties have been done by AARI and distrubuted to farmers.
 
Chickpea Studies
The aim of the Aegean Region Chickpea Breeding Studies that started in 1976 is to develop varieties which are high yielding, large seeded and resistant/tolerated to Ascochyta rabiei, to search agronomic studies related these subjects and to transfer results of research to farmers through experiments under farmers’ conditions and demonstrations. The materials obtained from different resources and segregating populations have been observed for Ascochyta rabiei resistance under artificial epidemic conditions. Fusarium wilt (Fusarium spp.) resistance is also have been screened under natural conditions in last years since it is also restricted yield. It is determined that early sowings were increased yield. The optimum row spacing and sowing rate for chickpea were determined as 45x10 cm. As a result of breeding studies 3 varieties (İzmir92, Menemen92 and Aydın92) which are medium seeded and tolerated to Ascochyta rabiei, 2 varieties (Sarı98 and Cevdetbey98) which are large seeded and medium tolerated to Ascochyta rabiei were released.
 
Faba Bean Studies
“Faba Bean Research Project of Aegean Region Project” was started in 1974. The porpose of the project is to increase the yield and quality of faba bean for intensive farming or suıtable areas for production. During the first years, utalizaton of genetic variation in landrace populations were planned as a main step.  So, Eresen 87 landrace was registered  for dry seed  and it was derived from Sakız population with single plant selection method in 1987. Distance isolation, reserve seed method and isolated conditions in cages were used to screen and sustain the breeding material. In 1980, parcentage of the allogamy was calculated 5-9% in landraces and 4-25,4% in introduced varieties. Crossing method was used to widen population variation between 1985 and 1994. Special for Sakız population, the best yield potential was detemined as 25 plant/m2 in humid  area and 30 plant/m2 in dry area. Row spaces of faba bean is suggested, respectivly, 30 cm and 40 cm in humid) and dry areas. Meanwhile, the most suitable plant density was suggested 25 plant/m2 mm and row space was suggested as 45 cm for mechanisation. The other registered varieties are Filiz99, Kıtık 2003 and Salkım. The seeds have been produces and distrubutes to farmers.
 
 
Soybean Studies
 It is important to determine varieties with high yielding and suitable vegetation period both for main and second crops in Aegean Region. The studies conducted between 1981-1988, varieties of Mitchell, Williams, Amsoy71 and Woodworth were suitable for South Aegean, Büyük Menederes plain and Küçük Menderes and Gediz plains respectively in terms of first pod height, yield and earliness. Soybean is also important as a lugume and it is very useful  to take part in rotation systems in Aegean Region in terms of tecnical and economic. Soybean agronomy studies have been conducted since 1982. In Aegean Region narrow row spacings resulted in high yields, high plant heights and first pod heights for second crop soybean growing. Hybridization studies were started in 1984 and Umut2002 (2002) and Cinsoy (2010) varieties were released. Seed of the varieties have been distrubuted to farmers. Altınay variety is also permitted for production and takes place in the trials.
 
Dry Bean Studies
“Aegean Region Dry Bean Research Project for Second Crop Project“ were began in 1984. The aim of the project was to test dry bean for second crop, to select lines having disease resistance, high yielding and suitability for mechanization, to register the lines and produce the seeds of varieties and transfer the agronomy technics to farmers. It is determined that 20 th June is suitable for secon crop sowing.  Suitable lines were selected for the Aegean Region. The studies have been carried out in Ödemiş-Bozdağ since 1999. Noyanbey98 and Cihan were released and the seeds of the varieties have been produced in Bozdağ.
 
Food Grain Legume Genetic Resources
The main objectives of the project on grain legume resources are conservation, collection, multiplication, regeneration and evaluation of grain legume accessions collected in Turkey and to obtain the information on the material. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), cowpea (Vigna ungiuculata L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) are important food legumes that are grew in different ecological conditions of Turkey. It is aimed to collect, multiplicate, regenerate and characterize the landraces in this project.
Collecting programmes were carried out in many parts of Turkey since 1964. Morphologic characterisation and evaluation studies were carried out on chickpea accessions. They were evaluated in terms of Ascochyta rabiei resistance under artificial epidemic conditions, cold tolerance and Fusarium wilt resistance in natural conditions. Single seed yield, biological yield, pod number per plant, pigmentation, blac dots, maturation day, 100 grain weight were determined as characteristics that constitute principle components. Morphologic and molecular characterisation studies in faba bean and morphologic characterisation studies in cowpea were carried out. Survey and collection programs for wild relatives of grain legumes in flora of Turkey have been currently carried out in collaboration with organizations abroad. Landraces and wild species include resistance genes against diseases, insects and environmental stres factors. So, conservation of these genes and using in plant breeding contribute to agricultural production.