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Researches of Food Legumes Department of Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute are carried out on Plant Breeding, Agronomy and Seed production subjects with chickpea, dry bean and lentil species. 

Breeding studies on food legumes in Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute have began in mid 60's. At the beginning, research institutions were working independently but extensive research on food legume crops was started in 1976 with the initiation of the "National Food Legume Research Project" among the research institutes through the country. Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute was started cultivar development studies like other institutions with the initiation of the "National Food Legume Research Project. Food legumes breeding studies were carried out under the Agricultural Research Project with the three-year Projects from 1995 to 2003. Food legume studies have started under the National Food Legumes Integrated Crop Management Research Project since 2003.  Food legume breeding studies have started under National Breeding Research Projects which sub-projects of National Food Legumes Integrated Crop Management Research Project. The objectives of the National Breeding Research Project are to develop high yielding varieties with resistance to diseases causing yield reductions in our country, with seed properties compatible with standards, good quality characteristics and to multiply and provide seeds of these varieties for producers. Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute has been working as a coordinator of the the National Food Legumes Integrated Crop Management Research Project since 2008. 7 chickpea, 11 dry bean and 4 lentil varieties in Breeding Research for Transitional Region Project between from 1976 to 2016 were developed and registered by Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute.

In addition to breeding programs, agronomic experiments have also been conducted and it has been shown that it is possible to double the present yield levels with suitable packages of cultural practices.

            The studies are mainly concentrated on:

1-Water-Yield relationship

2- Drought and Cold tolerance

3- Micro nutrient studies                               

4-Sowing date and density

5-Reduced tillage                              

6-Organic production

Certificated Seed of the currently grown cultivars released by Food Legumes Department of the Institute have been multiplied at the Institute. Multiplied seed has been given to the State farms and Private seed companies.