Mutations in the widely conserved Arabidopsis Terminal Flower 1 (TFL1) gene and its homologs have been demonstrated to result in determinacy across genera, the knowledge of which is lacking in cowpea. Understanding the molecular events leading to determinacy of apical meristems could hasten development of cowpea varieties with suitable ideotypes. Isolation and characterization of a novel mutation in cowpea TFL1 homolog (VuTFL1) affecting determinacy is reported here for the first time. Cowpea TFL1 homolog was amplified using primers designed based on conserved sequences in related genera and sequence variation was analysed in three gamma ray-induced determinate mutants, their indeterminate parent "EC394763" and two indeterminate varieties. The analyses of sequence variation exposed a novel SNP distinguishing the determinate mutants from the indeterminate types. The non-synonymous point mutation in exon 4 at position 1,176 resulted from transversion of cytosine (C) to adenine (A) leading to an amino acid change (Pro-136 to His) in determinate mutants. The effect of the mutation on protein function and stability was predicted to be detrimental using different bioinformatics/computational tools. The functionally significant novel substitution mutation is hypothesized to affect determinacy in the cowpea mutants. Development of suitable regeneration protocols in this hitherto recalcitrant crop and subsequent complementation assay in mutants or over-expressing assay in parents could decisively conclude the role of the SNP in regulating determinacy in these cowpea mutants.

Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2n = 2x = 22), an important Asiatic legume crop, is a major source of dietary protein for the predominantly vegetarian population. Here we construct a draft genome sequence of blackgram, for the first time, by employing hybrid genome assembly with Illumina reads and third generation Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. The final de novo whole genome of blackgram is ~ 475 Mb (82% of the genome) and has maximum scaffold length of 6.3 Mb with scaffold N50 of 1.42 Mb. Genome analysis identified 42,115 genes with mean coding sequence length of 1131 bp. Around 80.6% of predicted genes were annotated. Nearly half of the assembled sequence is composed of repetitive elements with retrotransposons as major (47.3% of genome) transposable elements, whereas, DNA transposons made up only 2.29% of the genome. A total of 166,014 SSRs, including 65,180 compound SSRs, were identified and primer pairs for 34,816 SSRs were designed. Out of the 33,959 proteins, 1659 proteins showed presence of R-gene related domains. KIN class was found in majority of the proteins (905) followed by RLK (239) and RLP (188). The genome sequence of blackgram will facilitate identification of agronomically important genes and accelerate the genetic improvement of blackgram.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), an important protein rich arid legume crop is susceptible to number of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases that severely limit the productivity. A set of 92 diverse cowpea genotypes including varieties, mutants, advanced breeding lines, exotic and indigenous collections were serologically screened for resistance against Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic (CABM) virus using DAS-ELISA. The genotypes grown in triplicate in a randomized block design at Trombay were mechanically inoculated with CABM virus and the resistance or susceptible reactions of each of the genotypes were recorded visually as well as serologically. Based on the extent of symptoms and serological reactions, the cowpea genotypes were classified as: highly resistant, plants without symptoms and negative for serology; resistant, plants with mild mosaic (<25%) and positive for serology; susceptible, plants with mosaic (26-75%) and positive for serology and highly susceptible, plants with severe mosaic (>75%) and other systemic symptoms and positive for serology. The study resulted in the identification of 13 highly resistant, 24 resistant, 50 susceptible and 5 highly susceptible genotypes. The chlorophyll index of susceptible genotypes as measured by SPAD chlorophyll meter was almost half that of resistant genotypes. The highly resistant genotypes against CABM virus identified in the present study after due confirmation would be incorporated in the breeding programme to develop resistance in elite genetic backgrounds.

The presence of FS is a unique feature in cowpea genotype EC394736 and duplicate recessive genes govern it. The FS can be used as a morphological marker for identification of cowpea varieties.

Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2n = 2x = 22), an important Asiatic legume crop, is a major source of dietary protein for the predominantly vegetarian population. Here we construct a draft genome sequence of blackgram, for the first time, by employing hybrid genome assembly with Illumina reads and third generation Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. The final de novo whole genome of blackgram is ~ 475 Mb (82 % of the genome) and has maximum scaffold length of 6.3 Mb with scaffold N50 of1.42 Mb. Genome analysis identified 18655 genes with mean coding sequence length of 970bp. Around 96.7 % of predicted genes were annotated. Nearly half of the assembled sequence is composed of repetitive elements with retrotransposons as major (47.3% of genome) transposable elements, whereas, DNA transposons made up only 2.29% of the genome. A total of 166014 SSRs, including 65180 compound SSRs, were identified and primer pairs for 34816 SSRs were designed. Out of the 18665 proteins, 678 proteins showed presence of R-gene related domains. KIN class was found in majority of the proteins (372) followed by RLK (79) and N (79). The genome sequence of blackgram will facilitate identification of agronomically important genes and accelerate the genetic improvement of blackgram.