Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), a tropical grain legume with low input requirements, is expected to continue to have an important role in supplying food and nutritional security in developing countries in Asia, Africa and the tropical Americas. From whole-genome resequencing of 292 Cajanus accessions encompassing breeding lines, landraces and wild species, we characterize genome-wide variation. On the basis of a scan for selective sweeps, we find several genomic regions that were likely targets of domestication and breeding. Using genome-wide association analysis, we identify associations between several candidate genes and agronomically important traits. Candidate genes for these traits in pigeonpea have sequence similarity to genes functionally characterized in other plants for flowering time control, seed development and pod dehiscence. Our findings will allow acceleration of genetic gains for key traits to improve yield and sustainability in pigeonpea.

SummaryTo map resistance genes for Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) in pigeonpea, sequencing‐based bulked segregant analysis (Seq‐BSA) was used. Resistant (R) and susceptible (S) bulks from the extreme recombinant inbred lines of ICPL 20096 × ICPL 332 were sequenced. Subsequently, SNP index was calculated between R‐ and S‐bulks with the help of draft genome sequence and reference‐guided assembly of ICPL 20096 (resistant parent). Seq‐BSA has provided seven candidate SNPs for FW and SMD resistance in pigeonpea. In parallel, four additional genotypes were re‐sequenced and their combined analysis with R‐ and S‐bulks has provided a total of 8362 nonsynonymous (ns) SNPs. Of 8362 nsSNPs, 60 were found within the 2‐Mb flanking regions of seven candidate SNPs identified through Seq‐BSA. Haplotype analysis narrowed down to eight nsSNPs in seven genes. These eight nsSNPs were further validated by re‐sequencing 11 genotypes that are resistant and susceptible to FW and SMD. This analysis revealed association of four candidate nsSNPs in four genes with FW resistance and four candidate nsSNPs in three genes with SMD resistance. Further, In silico protein analysis and expression profiling identified two most promising candidate genes namely C.cajan_01839 for SMD resistance and C.cajan_03203 for FW resistance. Identified candidate genomic regions/SNPs will be useful for genomics‐assisted breeding in pigeonpea.

Identification of candidate genomic regions associated with target traits using conventional mapping methods is challenging and time‐consuming. In recent years, a number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based mapping approaches have been developed and used for identification of candidate/putative genomic regions. However, in the majority of these studies, insertion–deletion (Indel) were largely ignored. For efficient use of Indels in mapping target traits, we propose Indel‐seq approach, which is a combination of whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and relies on the Indel frequencies in extreme bulks. Deployment of Indel‐seq approach for identification of candidate genomic regions associated with fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) resistance in pigeonpea has identified 16 Indels affecting 26 putative candidate genes. Of these 26 affected putative candidate genes, 24 genes showed effect in the upstream/downstream of the genic region and two genes showed effect in the genes. Validation of these 16 candidate Indels in other FW‐ and SMD‐resistant and FW‐ and SMD‐susceptible genotypes revealed a significant association of five Indels (three for FW and two for SMD resistance). Comparative analysis of Indel‐seq with other genetic mapping approaches highlighted the importance of the approach in identification of significant genomic regions associated with target traits. Therefore, the Indel‐seq approach can be used for quick and precise identification of candidate genomic regions for any target traits in any crop species.